Death of former representative John Dingell at the age of 92

John Dingell John DingellJohn Dingell tweeted after reports of his entry into a hospice: "You have not finished with me yet" The Hill's 12:30 Report: The state of play in the European Union | Views and sounds of the night | The Attorney General of Virginia admits that he was wearing a blackface. John Dingell has "entered a new phase," said his wife, who asks for prayers. He died Thursday at the age of 92.

Dingell recently entered palliative care after a diagnosis of cancer.

The office of Representative Deborah Dingell (D-Mich.), Wife and successor of Dingell in Congress, issued a statement on the occasion of her death.

"He was a lion of the United States Congress and a loving son, father, husband, grandfather and friend," the statement said. "He will be remembered for his decades of public service to the people of southeastern Michigan, for his quick wit and his life and for his determination to make life better for all who walk on this earth."

Elected for the first time in 1955, Dingell became Revered on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill for his legislative prowess while crafting some of the most consistent bills of the last century.

After a historic tenure that included historic votes on civil rights, authorizing wars and Medicare, Dingell retired. in 2014, frustrated by the rooted partisanship that had defined Congress in its later years.

"I find that serving in the House is heinous," Dingell told the Detroit News newspaper when he announced his retirement. "It has become very difficult because of acrimony and bitterness."

He took advantage of his last days at Capitol Hill to warn future generations of the rise of partisanship.

"Like all of you, I'm troubled by the past We have too much bad will, too much hatred, too much bitterness, too much anger," said Dingell at an event marking his record of congressman with the longest seniority in 2013. "Congress means to meet," where people come together to work for great causes in which they all have a great interest … We have, unfortunately, I think, because of the pressure of time, forgot about that. "

Dingell had immense power during his time in the House, although he was never part of the elected Democratic leadership.

His influence stems from his tenure as chairman of the House Energy and Trade Committee from 1981 to 1995, and then from 2007 to 2009. he used to defend the industry based near his suburban Detroit district, which earned him the nickname " The Truck. "

Dingell also had personal connections to the auto industry: his wife, Debbie, was vice-chairman of the General Motors Foundation until 2009.

The oldest Congressman began his first congressional election more than six decades ago. But his roots at Capitol Hill began to take shape in his childhood.

He often visited the Capitol with his father, Rep. John Dingell Sr. (D-Mich.), And served as a home page at the age of 12.

Dingell's father sat in the House of Commons for 22 years, until his death in 1955. Dingell, then only 29 years old, went to the special election to replace his father and perpetuate the family dynasty.

Debbie Dingell Deborah (Debbie) Ann DingellJohn Dingell tweets after receiving information that he was admitted to a hospice: "You have not finished with me yet" The Hill & 12:30 Report: The state of affairs in the European Union | Views and sounds of the night | The Attorney General of Virginia admits that he was wearing a blackface. John Dingell has "entered a new phase," says his wife, who is calling for the election of MORE in 2014, but since 1933 the Detroit District has been represented by the family. [19659004] But Dingell's ties with the auto industry became a handicap later in his career when his fellow Democrats agitated for a new climate and environmental regulation.

In November 2008, Dingell faced a challenge. Henry Waxman Henry Arnold WaxmanAfter Congress, stays in the discussion group on the energy debate to dedicate his first hearing to climate change. Key lobbyists, 2018 PLUS (D-Calif.) Considered a more aggressive supporter of new climate policies. Speaker Nancy Pelosi Patricia Nancy D & # 39; Alesandro PelosiTrump, Democrats jostle about the issue Rumors multiply in the Senate for Abrams after the speech electrified democracy Dems Democrats are stepping up their efforts to get tax returns Trump PLUS (D-Calif.) Officially remained neutral in the race, but many of his allies have notably supported the behavior of his fellow Californian against Dingell.

He narrowly lost against Waxman, 137 to 122, in a secret ballot.

But Dingell still played a role in health system reform. Adopted Democrats in 2010. He helped draft the Patient's Bill of Rights in the Affordable Care Act, which prevents insurance companies from denying coverage for children with pre-existing illnesses and illnesses. impose lifetime and annual limits on coverage.

Universal Health Care had long been one of his signature problems. Dingell had maintained his father's tradition of introducing a bill at each new session of Congress for a national health care system.

There was also the sense of humor sometimes unexpected Dingell.

Dingell then reprimanded the minority leader in the House . John Boehner John Andrew Boehner Boehner blames the Congress' "knuckleheads" for listening to the radio and forbids him to speak Meadows re-elected House Freedom Caucus Chair during his July 2008 debate on legislation to give food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco products.

Boehner John Andrew BoehnerBoehner blames Congress "knuckleheads" who listen to the radio to stop the radio, Meadows reelected, the president of House Freedom Caucus, the Freedom House of the Freedom MORE had called the proposal "stupid idea."

Dingell responded by making a startling prediction that "the distinguished gentleman, The leader of the minority is going to be among the next to die. "

" I try to save him, like the rest of us, because he's committing suicide whenever he's making fun of any of those things, "Dingell [19659003] In another case, Dingell said, while emphasizing the importance of understanding legislative processes: "If I let you write the substance and you let me write the procedure, I will make you stupid every time [19659004] Dingell also wrote an annual "Dingell Jingle" around Christmas, a tradition that Debbie Dingell pursued when he took office.

He spoke about his career in his 2014 jingle: "Won the medal of liberty! Even adopted a law! / All this in the face of the stagnation of Congress.

"And although Congress moved slowly, in its usual way / My only question remains: what the hell is a Kardashian?

This same spirit is lent to Dingell's prolific social media. After his retirement from Congress.

One of his last tweets came on January 3, the day of the new session of Congress, where he offered a tip to the new rookie class.

"At the beginning of this Congress, a council for new deputies I received in 1955: for six months, you are going to wonder how on earth did you get here," wrote Dingell.

"One day you will come to the House, the floor, look around, and wonder how on earth all the other fools have come here."