Pallone Statement on the Passing of Chairman Dingell

Statement

Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the death of former Congressman John Dingell, Jr., who passed away tonight

"This country, this institution and this Committee lost a giant tonight. Chairman John Dingell had a deep love and respect for the House and for the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He fought to ensure the Committee maintained its broad jurisdiction, had deliberative debates and followed regular order. He was a mentor of mine from my first days in Congress.

"Any health care, energy, environment, and telecommunications legislation that became law during his tenure at the helm of this Committee had his fingerprints on it. He always fought to ensure these laws protected consumers and advanced the public interest.

"Chairman Dingell was feared by both Democratic and Republican administrations for his relentless oversight and his repeated written demands for answers, commonly referred to as "Dingellgrams.' No administration official or corporate executive wanted to be on the other end of a Dingellgram.

"The Energy and Commerce Committee Room is rightfully named after Chairman John Dingell, who Chaired this Committee for 16 years and served as the top Democrat for 28 remarkable years.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Debbie, the Dingell family, and the Energy and Commerce Committee family as we collectively mourn the loss of our Chairman."

Source