SR-201, As Adopted by Senate, December 17, 2014

            Senator Whitmer offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 201.

A resolution of tribute for the Honorable John D. Dingell, Jr.

            Whereas, The members of this legislative body are honored to commend and thank Congressman John D. Dingell, Jr., for his dedicated service to the people of the state of Michigan and the entire country.  For the last 59 years, Congressman Dingell has been a strong advocate in the United States House of Representatives for the working men and women of Michigan; and

            Whereas, John D. Dingell, Jr., was born on July 8, 1926, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to John and Grace Dingell, Sr.  At the age of six, his father was elected to the United States House of Representatives to serve as the first representative in Michigan’s new 15th Congressional District, an event that would mark the beginning of more than eight consecutive decades of representation by the father and son duo; and

            Whereas, After graduating from high school, John Dingell was drafted during World War II and rose to the rank of second lieutenant.  Honorably discharged from the military in 1946, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Georgetown University and a law degree from the Georgetown University School of Law; and

            Whereas, With the death of his father in 1955, John Dingell sought to continue his legacy in Congress.  He defeated 13 challengers in the Democratic primary before handily winning the special election to serve out the remainder of his father’s unexpired term.  Since then, he has been re-elected 29 times; and

Whereas, Continuing the efforts of his father, Congressman Dingell introduced a bill in his first full term in office to provide national health insurance, and he has proposed a national health insurance bill every Congress since. The Congressman also presided over the passage of Medicare.  An author of the Food Safety Modernization Act signed into law in 2011, he helped champion the passage of this key legislation representing the first major overhaul of food safety laws in 70 years; and

Whereas, A passionate steward of our natural resources and the environment, Congressman Dingell’s influence is evidenced in our nation’s Ocean Dumping Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. The Congressman also played a key role in the creation of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, and he remains a staunch defender of the Second Amendment right to bear arms; and

Whereas, Always cognizant of the Big Three automakers’ critical importance to our state, our country’s economy, and the livelihood of Michigan citizens, Congressman Dingell continues to be a dedicated advocate for the auto industry and its employees. In fact, he was vital to the passage of a federal loan guarantee bill in 1979 that prevented bankruptcy of the Chrysler Corporation and the 2008-2009 loans to General Motors and Chrysler to help them restructure after being devastated by the national recession; and

Whereas, Congressman Dingell’s marked and honorable career includes nearly six decades of accomplishments, during which he cast more than 25,000 votes. Currently chairman emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee, he chaired that powerful committee from 1981 to 1994 and in 2007 and 2008. The Congressman also served as chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. In 2009, he became the longest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives and is respectfully and endearingly known as the Dean of Congress.  In 2013, he became the longest-serving member in the history of Congress; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we extend our appreciation and thanks to the Honorable John D. Dingell, Jr., as he completes his service in the United States House of Representatives; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Congressman John D. Dingell, Jr., his wife Deborah, and his children, John, Christopher, Jeanne, and Jennifer, as evidence of our highest esteem and admiration for his tireless service and countless contributions for the betterment of this great state of Michigan.