Nation's political elite honor Dingell

Deb Price / The Detroit News

WASHINGTON -- On the eve of becoming the longest-serving member in U.S. House history, Rep. John Dingell was feted at the Capitol by some of the nation's current and past political elite, including former President Bill Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"We are not here for the length of his service. We are here for the quality of his service," said Clinton, a hunting buddy of the Dearborn Democrat.

At a reception in the Capitol's Statuary Hall honoring Dingell's milestone, Pelosi quoted President John F. Kennedy: " 'No government is better than the people who serve it.'... For 19,420 days, we have had the best with John Dingell."

Pelosi said a flag honoring Dingell will fly over the Capitol today, when the House will pass a resolution saluting him.

Dingell, who has served in the House since 1955, gave a thumbs-up as he sat on a stool while Pelosi, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, Clinton, civil rights legend and Rep. John Lewis of Georgia and Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, spoke.

"Serving in the House of Representatives is indeed a great privilege," said Dingell, now 82.

"I've been fortunate. ... I have never failed to appreciate the extraordinary wisdom of our founding fathers in designing a system of government that not only stands the test of time but which will serve us and our successors."

Michigan guests included former Gov. James Blanchard, former Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Reps. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak; Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek; and Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph.

Former members who served with Dingell included ex-Speaker Tom Foley and Patricia Schoeder, who once made a run for the presidency.

Also listening from the sidelines was Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who ousted Dingell after the November elections as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. VIPS included ex-Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

Dingell was elected in 1955 to replace his congressman father, who died in office.

He breaks the record set by Rep. Jamie Whitten of Mississippi, who left office in 1995 after 53 years of service.

Carl Levin told the guests that Dingell's "devotion to public service is the thread which ties him to the men and women of America's storied past, who are represented here in Statuary Hall and throughout the Capitol.

"Fifty-four years from now, or 154 years from now, when historians look back for models of public service, John Dingell will stand among the best America has to offer."