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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMy Friend, John Dingell
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/steny-hoyer-remembering-my-friend-john-dingell/582415/My Friend, John Dingell
He approached policy with a unique blend of ferocity and tact, and he loved his constituents deeply.
4:16 PM ET
Steny Hoyer
Majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives
snip//
He had a gift for understatement. For nearly six decades, the people of Southeast Michigan voted to send John back to Congress again and again, placing their trust in him to be their voice. His constituents loved him, and so did those of us who had the honor of serving with him in Washington.
Over the years, I watched John approach policy with a unique blend of ferocity and tact. He never missed an opportunity to help auto workers and their families, who returned him to Congress a record 29 times. Nothing would stand in the way of his responsibility, he believed, to put his constituents interests above all else. Sometimes that meant joining with Republicans against other Democrats. Work with them when you can, and fight them when you have to, hed say about his colleagues across the aisle in a show of the type of pragmatism so rare nowadays in Washington. Throughout his career, he preached civilityand practiced it religiously.
Much will be written and said in the coming days about John Dingells achievements. From Medicare to the Affordable Care Act, from civil rights to Wall Street reforms, his legacy is undeniable. But as I look back on his life, I will see the man whose proudest titles werent congressman, chairman, or dean but son, husband, father, and grandfatherand U.S. Army veteran. He saw himself primarily as a citizen and public servant. Every year, hed come through the Capitol carrying a box of paczkithe Polish filled donutsreminding his friends of the pride he had in his immigrant roots. Hed hand them out to members and staff and visitors alike. That was classic John, finding such joy in the act of sharing what he loved. To all our benefit, he deeply loved this country and took such joy in fighting for its future to be brighter.
It is hard to say what Congress will be like without John Dingell watching over our shoulders. Even after he retired, we were blessed by his regular company as a congressional spouse, his wonderful wife and partner, Debbie, now serving the district that John, his father, and now his wife have represented for 86 years. Hed come back often, and Id see him talking with the freshmen, much as he did with me when I arrived, and dispensing pearls of wisdom and wit. Hed make them feel like part of something larger than their own service, because in many ways John Dingell was the living connection between the New Deal and Great Society and Democrats 21st-century agenda.
Sadly for our country and for all of us who served with him, John will no longer be here to share his sage and frank advice as we move through the days of uncertainty and challenge ahead. On Wednesday, I traveled to Michigan to say goodbye. For two and a half hours, I sat by his bedside; Debbie sat nearby. Before I left, I leaned over and kissed John on his forehead and whispered: I love youthats not just from me, but from all of your friends in the House.
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My Friend, John Dingell (Original Post)
babylonsister
Feb 2019
OP
dhill926
(16,346 posts)1. The K & R....