Death of John Dingell, 92, Congressman in power

8, 2019, 0218 GMT

From Rebecca Shabad

Former representative John Dingell, D-Mich., The oldest member of Congress having played a key role in many historical laws, is dead. He was 92 years old. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.

"Congressman Dingell passed away peacefully today at his home in Dearborn, surrounded by his wife Deborah," his wife's office, Debbie Dingell,

said in a statement. Lion of the United States Congress and a son, a father, a husband, a grandfather and a loving 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."

Dingell arrived at Congress in 1955, occupying the seat of his father John Dingell, father, who died earlier that year, and young Dingell continued to serve in the House of Commons for more than 59 years. In 2014, he announced that he would not run again and that his wife, Debbie Dingell, would then come to a seat and now fill his third term.

Debbie Dingell tweeted Wednesday: "Friends and colleagues know me and know I'll be in Washington right now, unless something happens, I'm at home with John and we have entered a new phase .It is my love and we have been a team for almost 40 years. "

Dingell first experimented with Capitol Hill a page of the House from 1938 to 1943 during which he has witnessed from historical moments.

"We have seen rather big things," he told the historian of the House during an oral interview in 2012. The president declared war the day after the Japanese bombarded Pearl Harbor [December 8, 1941]. saw Winston Churchill on December 26, 1941 when he came to speak in Congress. We have seen the President give messages about the state of the Union and, quite often, speak to the Capitol or the House on other subjects. It was a very rewarding experience.

Dingell served in the military during the Second World War and was one of the last veterans of the war to sit in Congress. After the war, he studied at Georgetown University and obtained a bachelor's degree in chemistry and a law degree

. He helped sponsor the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1957, enacted health insurance in the House and promulgated the Endangered Species Act. And while initially supporting the Vietnam War, he later opposed it and called on President Richard Nixon to withdraw his American troops. He later became a key supporter of the Affordable Care Act.

In 2014, former President Barack Obama awarded Dingell the Presidential Medal of Freedom, claiming that Congressman "had built an unmatched record" over six decades. 19659007] "He participated in the vote for Medicare and helped fight for the Civil Rights Act. For more than half a century, in every congress, John has introduced a bill on comprehensive health care. That is to say until he no longer has to do it. I could not have been more proud of having John by my side when I signed the Affordable Care Act, "Obama said.

Dingell also chaired the House Committee on Trade and Energy for several terms, but lost the hammer of the former representative. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., Who claimed that Dingell had slowed environmental legislation because of its links with the auto industry.

US Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Called Thursday night Dingell "my dear friend" and said that his wife was perpetuating his legacy in Congress. "I know all of us in Michigan, we send her, her family and many friends, our love and support," said Stabenow.

"Congressman John Dingell – Dean of the House and my dear friend – was not just a witness to the story. He was the creator, "said Stabenow." His original surname, translated into Polish, meant "blacksmith". John Dingell loved Michigan. "

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement Thursday night," Today, the great state of Michigan has bid farewell to one of our greatest leaders. "

" John Dingell will always be remembered as the "dean" of Congress, not only for the duration of his service, but also for his unprecedented legislative achievements. , "she says." The courage, humility, and humor of the congressman taught us to everyone that we could disagree without being unpleasant, while finding a common ground. agreeing and working together to get things done. "

After his congressional career, Dingell gained a new reputation as a prolific and hilarious tweeter

" His wife is working late tonight. Maybe he will eat ice cream for dinner. #YOLO "he said in a tweet.

He tweeted in 2014," The staff is informed me of what is a Kardashian. I only have questions left. "

Dingell also posted tweets making fun of his old age." Damn it. You do not tweet for a week or two and you start receiving calls at home asking if you are still kicking. Older people also have lives. "

" I tried to watch @meetthepress and there was a damn football game instead. What is it @chucktodd ? I did not fight during the independence war to watch football on a Sunday morning, @chucktodd . "