Political world mourns Dingell, longest-serving member of Congress

Politicians from both sides of the aisle paid tribute to former Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the longest-serving member of Congress in history.

Dingell died Thursday at the age of 92 and had recently entered hospice care after a cancer diagnosis. He was first elected in 1955 and served in the House of Representatives until 2015. 

{mosads}”He was a lion of the United States Congress and a loving son, father, husband, grandfather and friend,” the office of Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Dingell’s wife and successor in Congress, said in a statement. “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.” 

Several high profile politicians honored Dingell’s service and accomplishments in Congress.

“John Dingell was the Dean of the House. He earned that title — not just because he was there the longest — but because he led with great moral courage and vision. He was a friend and I will miss him terribly. Debbie is in my prayers,” former Vice President Joe Biden tweeted. 

John Dingell was the Dean of the House. He earned that title — not just because he was there the longest — but because he led with great moral courage and vision. He was a friend and I will miss him terribly. Debbie is in my prayers.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 7, 2019

“America has lost a beloved pillar of the Congress & one of the greatest legislators in our history. @JohnDingell’s entire life was lived in service to our country. His leadership played an important role in the passage of both #Medicare and the #ACA,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who served in the House with Dingell for almost 30 years, said. 

America has lost a beloved pillar of the Congress & one of the greatest legislators in our history. @JohnDingell’s entire life was lived in service to our country. His leadership played an important role in the passage of both #Medicare and the #ACA. https://t.co/1nt6YqB0oe

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 7, 2019

“No one fought harder to make health care a human right than @JohnDingell. He believed in the power of government to even out the arbitrary hard edges of life, and I’m lucky to have served with him and [learned] from him. RIP,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) tweeted.

No one fought harder to make health care a human right than @JohnDingell. He believed in the power of government to even out the arbitrary hard edges of life, and I’m lucky to have served with him and leaned from him. RIP.

— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 7, 2019

“I’m sending my love to @RepDebDingell tonight as her heart has broken. @JohnDingell was the love of her life and the light of all ours. He was smart, good and wickedly funny. His legacy at the US House will live on – I’m grateful for the years I was lucky to learn from him,” Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), who served with both Dingells in the House, echoed.

I’m sending my love to @RepDebDingell tonight as her heart has broken. @JohnDingell was the love of her life and the light of all ours. He was smart, good and wickedly funny. His legacy at the US House will live on – I’m grateful for the years I was lucky to learn from him.

— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) February 7, 2019

“I was only lucky enough to serve alongside @JohnDingell for one term but will always appreciate the example he set for the next generation of lawmakers. He was a true statesman, great human being, & had a great sense of humor. We’re praying for you & your family, @RepDebDingell,” Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) said.

I was only lucky enough to serve alongside @JohnDingell for one term but will always appreciate the example he set for the next generation of lawmakers. He was a true statesman, great human being, & had a great sense of humor. We’re praying for you & your family, @RepDebDingell. https://t.co/hd59OSCNZy

— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) February 7, 2019

“John Dingell left a lasting impression with everyone he met. As the longest serving member of the House in history, he will be missed and remembered for his lifetime of service. Farewell to the Dean of the House and deepest condolences to his wife @RepDebDingell,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said.

John Dingell left a lasting impression with everyone he met. As the longest serving member of the House in history, he will be missed and remembered for his lifetime of service. Farewell to the Dean of the House and deepest condolences to his wife @RepDebDingell.

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) February 7, 2019

“John Dingell was a giant. His fingerprints are on countless pieces of legislation that form the framework for our country, and no one told a better story. He will be missed but he will never be forgotten. Thinking of @RepDebDingell and his family today,” Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) said. 

John Dingell was a giant. His fingerprints are on countless pieces of legislation that form the framework for our country, and no one told a better story. He will be missed but he will never be forgotten. Thinking of @RepDebDingell and his family today.

— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) February 7, 2019

“Rest In Peace, @JohnDingell. A leader who believed in the power and the obligation of the legislative branch to improve the lives of Americans. May his memory, and his example be a blessing for all of us,” Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) tweeted.

Rest In Peace, @JohnDingell. A leader who believed in the power and the obligation of the legislative branch to improve the lives of Americans. May his memory, and his example be a blessing for all of us.

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 7, 2019

“.@RepDebDingell – my deepest condolences and love to you and your family upon losing the love of your life. @JohnDingell was a hero and warrior who made the world a better place. He will be missed but his legacy lives on,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said. 

.@RepDebDingell – my deepest condolences and love to you and your family upon losing the love of your life. @JohnDingell was a hero and warrior who made the world a better place. He will be missed but his legacy lives on. https://t.co/5mi6RJJw8I

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) February 7, 2019

“My prayers are with @RepDebDingell and all the family and friends of @JohnDingell. John Dingell is a congressional legend. May he rest in peace,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) tweeted.

My prayers are with @RepDebDingell and all the family and friends of @JohnDingell. John Dingell is a congressional legend. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/GdfIb46u3v

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 7, 2019

“John Dingell was a giant of public service. He entered public office under Eisenhower. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to serve with him in his final years in the House. His death is our country’s loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife @RepDebDingell,” Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) said. 

John Dingell was a giant of public service. He entered public office under Eisenhower. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to serve with him in his final years in the House. His death is our country’s loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife @RepDebDingell.

— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) February 7, 2019

“Sending my condolences to @RepDebDingell and the entire Dingell family. Representative John Dingell was a legendary public servant and he will be missed,” Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) said.

Sending my condolences to @RepDebDingell and the entire Dingell family. Representative John Dingell was a legendary public servant and he will be missed. https://t.co/h0bmT6IY3W

— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 7, 2019

“The American people have lost an incredible public servant and the Dingell family has lost its patriarch.  I am saddened to hear of the passing of @JohnDingell but my heart is filled with gratitude for the life he led and the ways in which he sought to improve the lives of others,” Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) tweeted. 

I mourn the loss of a dear friend – @JohnDingell. A great man, a great Congressman and a great American. My sympathies to @RepDebDingell and the entire family. May @JohnDingell Rest In Peace

— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) February 7, 2019

“.@JohnDingell was a champion for Michiganders and all hardworking Americans. I am saddened by the loss of the Dean. His was an American life well lived, and he will be missed by all. My thoughts are with @RepDebDingell and his entire family,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said. 

.@JohnDingell was a champion for Michiganders and all hardworking Americans. I am saddened by the loss of the Dean. His was an American life well lived, and he will be missed by all. My thoughts are with @RepDebDingell and his entire family.

— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) February 7, 2019

“Deeply saddened by the passing of @JohnDingell. A fierce defender of our environment and healthcare advocate, John served with strength and a steady commitment to making our nation a better place for all. Thoughts are with @RepDebDingell and may his legacy live on,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) tweeted. 

Deeply saddened by the passing of @JohnDingell. A fierce defender of our environment and healthcare advocate, John served with strength and a steady commitment to making our nation a better place for all. Thoughts are with @RepDebDingell and may his legacy live on.

— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) February 7, 2019

Many Democratic presidential candidates echoed his calls for public service.

“What a life. As the longest-serving member of Congress, John Dingell helped increase access to health care, defended the auto industry, and was always good for just the right tweet. Sending @RepDebDingell and the rest of her family all my love,” Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said. 

What a life. As the longest-serving member of Congress, John Dingell helped increase access to health care, defended the auto industry, and was always good for just the right tweet. Sending @RepDebDingell and the rest of her family all my love.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 7, 2019

“John Dingell will be remembered as a legendary public servant who served his constituents honorably for six decades. My heart is with the Dingell family during this difficult time,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) tweeted. 

John Dingell will be remembered as a legendary public servant who served his constituents honorably for six decades. My heart is with the Dingell family during this difficult time. https://t.co/pLpqqi7tCG

— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 7, 2019

“Sending my heartfelt prayers and aloha to @RepDebDingell and John Dingell’s loved ones for their great loss. John served our country with honor and dignity, and will be greatly missed,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) said. 

Sending my heartfelt prayers and aloha to @RepDebDingell and John Dingell’s loved ones for their great loss. John served our country with honor and dignity, and will be greatly missed

— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) February 7, 2019

“Saddened to hear of the passing of @JohnDingell, a giant in the Congress who represented the Midwest well. (And whose mastery of Twitter showed it can be done at any age.) Thoughts are with @RepDebDingell and their family tonight,” South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) tweeted.

Saddened to hear of the passing of @JohnDingell, a giant in the Congress who represented the Midwest well. (And whose mastery of Twitter showed it can be done at any age.) Thoughts are with @RepDebDingell and their family tonight.

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 7, 2019

Dingell is survived by his wife and successor in Congress, Debbie Dingell, a brother, a sister, three children and three grandchildren.