Recognizing and Honoring an American Giant: Congressman John D. Dingell, Jr.
RECOGNIZING AND HONORING AN AMERICAN GIANT: CONGRESSMAN JOHN D. DINGELL, JR. -- (House of Representatives - December 13, 2005)
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Mr. OBEY. Mr. Speaker, do we have to tell the truth about the persons we are honoring tonight?
Mr. Speaker, I guess if we have to tell the truth, then I will have to say the same thing I would have said if we did not have to tell the truth, that John Dingell is one of the great men in the history of this institution.
I want to thank John Dingell, not because he is Dean of the House, not because he is the third longest serving Member in the history of the House. I think the most notable aspect of John Dingell's career is not his length of service, but its quality.
When each of us comes to this institution, we come with one of two desires, either to be something and somebody, or to stand for something. In the end, we take little note of those who merely want to be a Member of Congress, or be a United States Senator. But we take great note of those who use their service here to do things on behalf of the country and the people they represent.
John Dingell and I both share admiration for former Congressman John Moss, who is a great leader in his own right in this institution. John Moss earned a reputation as a lion fighting for justice and for the rights of the common people of this country. Like John Moss, John Dingell personifies integrity, courage, independence, and dedication to the public interest. John follows in the footsteps of his father. He has championed the cause of wildlife, of wild lands and wild places. He has championed the cause of consumers in an economy of corporate giants.
He has championed the cause of medical research. He has followed in his father's footsteps in championing the cause of health insurance for all Americans. He is truly a social gospel Democrat who understands that we are elected to this House for the same reason that we are placed on this Earth, namely, to try to do good for others.
I want to congratulate John Dingell for his passion, for his conscience, for his vigor; and I want to thank his remarkable wife, Debbie, for helping him focus his prodigious abilities on behalf of not only his constituents but so many of our own.
I feel privileged to have served in the same institution with John Dingell. I am proud of his service, and I want to thank John for the honor that he has done this place by the quality of his service for the last 50 years.
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