Former Michigan Representative John Dingell Dies at 92

The longest-serving member of Congress in U.S. history has died.

Michigan’s John Dingell served for nearly 58 years. He presided over the House when Medicare was passed in 1965. He lent the gavel from Medicare’s passage to Speaker Nancy Pelosi when the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010. He also introduced a universal health care bill on the first day of each new Congress to honor his father who was also a champion for universal health care.

“The heart and the soul of what I have gotten is hard work, integrity, decency, and willingness to work hard because this job belongs to the people,” he stated during Obama’s administration.

“John led the charge on so much for the progress we take for granted today…He helped lead the fight for the Civil Rights Act,” President Obama stated online. “John sat beside me when I signed the Affordable Care act — a law that nearly cut in half the uninsured rate in America. When we finally achieve [guaranteed universal health care] — and we will — we’ll all owe him our gratitude.”

Nancy Pelosi also stated that Dingell’s experience, leadership, partnership, and passion will be sorely missed, and that she and others have had the honor to serve alongside him.

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