Date: 2014-12-09
Speaker: GENE GREEN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

I thank my colleague and our new ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great lawmakers of our era. who has dedicated his life to fighting for civil rights. to strengthening our Nations safety net for the vulnerable and elderly. and in pushing for workers rights and protecting American jobs. I am honored to call this man a mentor and a friendthe dean of the House. Congressman JOHN DINGELL. Mr. Speaker. I ask that my full statement be placed in the RECORD. JOHNs illustrious career speaks for itself: the longestserving Member in the history of the House of Representatives. the author of dozens of Federal laws. including the Endangered Species Act. the Safe Drinking Water Act. and the Affordable Care Act. the chairman or ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for 28 years. a veteran of the Second World War. What the history books will never be able to fully share is the respect and kindness JOHN has given to all who have been fortunate enough to work with him. JOHN has always been generous with his time and with sharing his unparalleled institutional knowledge of the peoples House. In 2005. JOHN was a vital voice. and he supported efforts to pass the Energy Policy Act. which became one of the key Federal supports for the current energy renaissance that is providing jobs and lower energy prices for the American people today. Outside of Washington. I was fortunate to spend time with JOHN on hunting trips. where I had the opportunity to get to know him better as a man. as a father. as a husband. and as an avid sportsman. Mr. Speaker. before I conclude. I would like to personally thank JOHN for his decades of public service in fighting for Americas working families. Our Chamber will not be the same without him. God bless JOHN DINGELL and the United States of America. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great lawmakers of our era. who has dedicated his life fighting for civil rights. strengthening our nations safety net for the vulnerable and elderly. and pushing for workers rights and protecting American jobs. I am honored to call this man a mentor and a friend. the Dean of the House. Congressman JOHN DINGELL. JOHNS illustrious career speaks for itself: longestserving member in the history of the House of Representatives. author of dozens of federal laws. including the Endangered Species Act. the Safe Drinking Water Act. and the Affordable Care Act. Chairman or Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for 28 years. a veteran of the Second World War. What the history books will never be able to fully share is the respect and kindness JOHN gave to all who have been fortunate enough to work with him. JOHN has always been generous with his time and sharing his unparalleled institutional knowledge of the Peoples House. In 2003. during the DeLay redistricting fiasco in Texas. which gerrymandered out many longtime House Members. JOHN advised me on what avenues were available to Members to voice disapproval. In 2005. JOHN was a vital voice and supported efforts to pass the Energy Policy Act. which has become one of the key federal supports for the current energy renaissance thats providing jobs and lower energy prices for the American people today. Outside of Washington. I have been fortunate to spend time with JOHN on hunting trips. where I had the opportunity of getting to know him better as a man. a father and husband. and as an avid outdoorsman. Mr. Speaker. before I conclude. I would like to personal thank JOHN for his decades of public service in fighting for Americas working families. Our chamber will not be the same without him. God Bless JOHN DINGELL and the United States of America.