Longest Serving Member of US Congress John Dingell Dies at the Age of 92 Years

John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat who entered the US House of Representatives in the year 1955 to complete his late father’s term became the longest-serving member of Congress, passed away this week at the age of 92.

At the time of death, his wife Debbie Dingell, was with him. He died peacefully at his home in Michigan. “He was a lion of the United States Congress and a loving son, father, husband, grandfather, and friend”, Debbie Dingell’s office said in a statement declaring his death.

The statement also added, “He will be remembered for his decades of public service to the people of Southeast Michigan, his razor sharp wit and a lifetime of dedication to improving the lives of all who walk this earth”. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was in hospice care, after he had decided not to treat.

John Dingell served the House for 59 years before retiring in the year 2015. He also served Energy and Commerce Committee as its chairman for 16 years, when he pushed for the major legislations, including the breakup of telecommunications firm AT&T, cable deregulation, Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act. He also played a key role in passing the legislation leading to Medicare, the health insurance program for elderly Americans in 1965 and the Affordable Care Act in the year 2010, which is popularly known as Obama care.

John Dingell did not win all of his legislative fights. He was opposed to the North American Free Trade Agreement, but was approved in 1993. After leaving Congress, he remained popular, on Twitter for his articulate posts.

Three former US Presidents, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama have expressed their condolences for the longest-serving lawmaker.

In a statement Bill Clinton, a Democrat said, “Hillary and I mourn the passing of John Dingell, one of the finest public servants in American history”, while former Republican President George W Bush, said he spoke to Dingell shortly before he died, “I thanked him for his service to our country and being an example to those who have followed him into the public arena”, Bush said in a statement.

While Obama, a Democrat appreciated Dingell for his steady, determined efforts over a long career to bring change. “John led the charge on so much of the progress we take for granted today”, Obama said in a statement.

Before his passing away, Dingell dictated his wife to write his last tweet, “I want to thank you all for your incredibly kind words and prayers. You're not done with me just yet”.