Political Quotes

“One of the great privileges of serving in this body is that occasionally we walk among giants. Most of us 435 Members are ordinary, but among us are a few extraordinary citizens who become Members of Congress and serve this great country. We are saying good-bye this week to one of those giants. John Dingell, after serving some 59 years in this Chamber, is leaving us, and leaving us with a legacy of legislation that is truly astonishing: the Endangered Species Act, the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments, the Safe Drinking Water Act, legislation to create the first international wildlife refuge in North America, not to mention the Civil Rights Act or the Affordable Care Act or any number of other giant pieces of legislation. He has often said when asked about the jurisdiction that he was in charge of as chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee that he would point to a map of the Earth when asked about his jurisdiction and would say, ``If it moves, it is energy, and if it doesn't, it is commerce.'' That is the way he would define the jurisdiction under his leadership. We are thrilled that his wife now continues that extraordinary legacy by joining us as a Member of the next Congress, and I look forward to working with her on so many very important issues. So to John Dingell I say, I walked among many here in this Chamber, none as giant as you, and forevermore I will remember your great leadership to this body and to this country.…”