Steny Hoyer: “Our friend, Mr. Dingell. Mr. Speaker, tonight there will only be unanimous bipartisan agreement on this House floor.…”

“Our friend, Mr. Dingell. Mr. Speaker, tonight there will only be unanimous bipartisan agreement on this House floor. Tonight, the Members of this body, both Democrats and Republicans, our Speaker and our Democratic leader join together to recognize the extraordinary and many accomplishments of a great Member of this House. And to honor that service to our Nation we honor an American giant: The Dean of the House, our colleague from the State of Michigan, Congressman John Dingell, Jr. This day, December 13, 2005, marks Chairman Dingell's 50th anniversary as a Member of this great body, the people's House. The people are proud of John Dingell and rightfully so. He is the third longest serving Member in the history of this institution. That means he has survived a long time. And, frankly, 50 years of service is itself something that ought to be honored, but John Dingell is deserving of honor for much more than longevity. As I can attest, Congressman Dingell shows no signs of slowing down. Only Jamie Whitten of Michigan, with whom I served on the Appropriations Committee, with 53 years and 10 months of service, and Carl Vinson, the great Representative of Georgia, with 50 years and 2 months of service have served longer. John Dingell will surpass, God willing, both of those. Just consider that during the last half century Congressman Dingell has searched under 10 presidents. No, that is wrong. John Dingell serves under no one. John Dingell has served with 10 Presidents.…”