A look back at modern-day John Dingell in Ann Arbor
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Images from Michigan's 41-30 win over Notre Dame under the lightsU.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje appear side-by-side during a press conference in the shadow of the East Stadium Boulevard bridges in October 2010. They celebrated a nearly $14 million federal grant on its way to the city to help reconstruct the bridges. "This project sort of hung on the cusp for a while, and it is one of two I'm told that are going to be coming into this state," Dingell said, holding up two fingers to indicate how lucky Ann Arbor was to receive the funding. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, and Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje appear side-by-side during a press conference in the shadow of the East Stadium Boulevard bridges in October 2010. They celebrated a nearly $14 million federal grant on its way to the city to help reconstruct the bridges. "This project sort of hung on the cusp for a while, and it is one of two I'm told that are going to be coming into this state," Dingell said, holding up two fingers to indicate how lucky Ann Arbor was to receive the funding. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell announces a $1 million federal grant to help pay for a new Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor in October 2010. "This exciting new transit center will help us retain, create, and attract jobs to Washtenaw County," he said, addressing a small crowd inside the lobby of the old transit center. "Employers can take comfort in knowing that their employees can get to and from work on a reliable public transportation system, and residents can be assured their families and neighbors will have somewhere safe to wait between trips." The new transit center is now under construction. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell and former President Bill Clinton take the stage during a campaign event at Rackham Auditorium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor in October 2010. Clinton arrived in Ann Arbor to stump for Dingell, who was being challenged by Republican Rob Steele, a cardiologist from Superior Township, as Dingell sought his 29th term in Congress. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell holds up a three-pound sledgehammer at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Stadium bridges project in November 2011. Dingell, who is given credit for helping Ann Arbor secure a $13.9 million federal TIGER grant for the project, remarked that "Thanksgiving came early this year." He added: "We all did this. We have a peculiar system of government, but believe it or not, it works if everybody pulls together." by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell poses with Ann Arbor officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Stadium bridges in November 2011. Dingell extended special thanks to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Deputy Secretary John Porcari, who responded to Dingell's aggressive lobbying for federal funding and gave special attention to the project. "We had to yell twice as loud to get this one," Dingell said. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell gives opening remarks before Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero during a campaign event at Eastern Michigan University in October 2010. Bernero was running for governor and Dingell was seeking re-election to Congress. The veteran congressman said the nation was beginning to come out of one of the darkest recessions since the 1929 depression, and President Barack Obama and the Congress had made historic steps forward in making college more affordable and more accessible. Dingell said Congress also had acted to lower monthly payments on federal student loans and put measures in place to make certain that new graduates can manage their debt. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell waits his turn to speak at a Democratic Party campaign rally at Rackham Auditorium in September 2010. Former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean was on hand and encouraged the crowd of mostly University of Michigan students to vote for Dingell. "I am proud of what I see before me: enthusiasm, zest, and determination to win," Dingell said when it was his turn to speak. "And when those cock-eyed pollsters take a look at what you're doing and saying and thinking, and how you're behaving, and how you're going to work and lead us in the fall, they're going to understand they're just more than a little bit wrong." by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell at a candidate forum hosted by the West Washtenaw Business Association in October 2012. He and his Republican opponent, Cynthia Kallgren, disagreed on issues ranging from health care to the federal deficit. At one point, Dingell was taken to task by his opponent for saying in a previous interview that ignorance and inexperience aren't qualifications for running for office. Dingell denied he was referring to Kallgren or any specific opponent. "My opponent is entitled to her own opinion, but she's not entitled to her own facts," he said. "I never said that she was ignorant, unqualified or incapable of serving. I don't comment on my opponents." by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell chats with Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje before the announcement of a federal grant for the Stadium bridges in October 2010. Hieftje and other city officials gathered more recently in May 2013 to unveil a bronze plaque affixed to the side of the bridge, giving special thanks to Dingell for his assistance in obtaining federal funds. by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell appears with Hieftje again at the mayor's re-election party the night of the August 2010 primary. Dingell spends a fair amount of time in Ann Arbor with his wife, Debbie, and always refers to Hieftje as "my good friend." by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell poses for a portrait with Bernero and the College Democrats at the University of Michigan in September 2010. Dingell blamed the nation's ongoing economic problems on the Republicans, suggesting they're the ones who should take responsibility for the depression inherited by Obama. "They left President Obama two wars, they left President Obama a depression, and they left President Obama an economic downturn and a deficit of $1.3 trillion," Dingell said. "And now they're a little like the fella who blamed the fire department for the fire that they were putting out, or like the rooster that bragged about his crowing, which he said made the sun rise." by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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Dingell sits down with AnnArbor.com in July 2012 while campaigning for a 30th term. "I didn't get elected to Congress 29 times because I was a crook or a bumbler or an incompetent," he said. "I think the people have re-elected me because I've shown a very high level of effectiveness and competence in terms of constituent service — or legislation which I've gotten through or which I've stopped or which I've amended." by Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
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U.S. Rep. John Dingell officially is the longest-serving member of Congress in history as of Friday, and the national media is busy reflecting on his involvement in monumental pieces of legislation ranging from the 1964 Civil Rights Act to the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
John Dingell
Dingell has used the relationships he established throughout the last 57-plus years in Congress — with both Republicans and Democrats — to make those kinds of deliveries happen.
"I've been responsible for thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars flowing into this district," he said in an interview with AnnArbor.com last summer.
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje said he's been continually impressed with Dingell over the years.
"I've never met a representative at any level who cares more about the people in his district and I know that's going to be a big part of his legacy," he said. "As far as I can tell, he never stopped working for the people in his district from the day he was elected."
Hieftje said one doesn't have to look very far to see the effects of Dingell's leadership — the most recent example being the new Stadium bridges.
"Every time I see John, he says, 'Are we doing everything we can be doing for Ann Arbor?' and I just appreciate that," Hieftje said. "And he means it. If we bring something up, he gets right on it."
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder joined the chorus of those singing Dingell's praises on Friday, saying the state and nation owe a great thanks to Dingell for his leadership and devotion to public service.
"During his 57 years in Congress, John Dingell has been a champion for civil rights, clean air and clean water, and affordable health care," Snyder said.
"Most of all, he has been a champion for Michigan and its people. He has worked tirelessly to advance the interests of our state and all Michiganders."
Check out the slideshow above and leave your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think will be Dingell's legacy both nationally and locally?
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
outdoor6709
Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 12:21 p.m.
We could do a test of his interaction with those of us that are not politically connected, send him a polite letter saying the government needs to live within its means and ask what he would propose to balance the budget. Do not hold your breath waiting for a reply that will not come.
outdoor6709
Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 11:30 a.m.
Not sure what the love affair is with the person who helped bring us an additional $15 trillion in debt. A person who refused to talk to his constituents during debate over affordable care act, and refused to debate his opponent during 2012 campaign. Someone who supports NSA collecting data on your movements. But then again a "free bridge " buy a lot of looking the other way. Hope you enjoy the dictatorship.
BhavanaJagat
Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 8:27 p.m.
WHOLE DUDE - WHOLE DEMOCRACY: I respect the democratic institutions and traditions of the United States. To defend Freedom and Democracy, and to secure Peace, and Justice in the occupied Land of Tibet, I had voluntarily served in a military organization known in India as Special Frontier Force, or Establishment Number 22. It represents a military alliance/pact between the United States, India, and Tibet. Unfortunately, this reputable military organization remains under the shroud of secrecy, a legacy of Cold War era. My belief in Democracy and my commitment to defend human rights is associated with unconditional adherence to the principles of transparency and accountability in governance. This military organization has received millions of dollars in financial assistance apart from military equipment, supplies, and instructional staff since it got raised during November 1962 during the presidency of John F Kennedy. The US Congress, a democratic institution that represents the power of the people, in which John Dingell has the distinction of representing the people of Michigan for 29 terms since 1955 deserves to be thanked for its support. In other words, I want to sincerely thank the people of Michigan for electing John Dingell as their Representative for all these years.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 10:47 a.m.
When Congressman Dingell was redistricted into the same congressional district as our Congresswoman Lynn Rivers I sought him out and pledged my support and we've been friends ever since. I've known dozens of top political leaders of both parties and can honestly say that he has been the most skillful, professional and unfailingly polite politician I've ever worked with. He is intelligent, honest, up front on his views and possesses a quick wit. Whenever he comes to town I try to go and observe him speak and interact with the crowd because it is like observing a professor giving a graduate seminar in political skills.
outdoor6709
Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 12:17 p.m.
The highlight of his career was when he called ATF jack booted thugs. Since then he has sold out to those who give him money.