The Speaker and Reps. Angerer, Polidori, Byrnes, Agema, Ball, Barnett, Bauer, Bennett, Bledsoe, Bolger, Booher, Lisa Brown, Terry Brown, Byrum, Calley, Caul, Clemente, Constan, Corriveau, Coulouris, Crawford, Daley, Dean, Denby, DeShazor, Durhal, Elsenheimer, Espinoza, Geiss, Gonzales, Green, Gregory, Griffin, Haase, Haines, Hammel, Hansen, Haugh, Haveman, Huckleberry, Johnson, Rick Jones, Robert Jones, Kandrevas, Kennedy, Knollenberg, Kowall, Kurtz, Lahti, LeBlanc, Leland, Lindberg, Lipton, Liss, Lori, Lund, Marleau, Mayes, McDowell, Meadows, Meekhof, Melton, Meltzer, Miller, Nathan, Nerat, Neumann, Pavlov, Pearce, Proos, Roberts, Rocca, Rogers, Roy Schmidt, Schuitmaker, Bettie Scott, Paul Scott, Scripps, Segal, Sheltrown, Simpson, Slavens, Slezak, Smith, Spade, Stamas, Stanley, Switalski, Tlaib, Tyler, Valentine, Walsh, Warren and Young offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 23.

A resolution to honor Congressman John D. Dingell on the occasion of his becoming the longest serving member of the United States House of Representatives on this date, February 11, 2009.

           Whereas, John D. Dingell was sworn in and took office as a Member of the United States House of Representatives on January 22, 1956 after winning a special election on December 13, 1955. He replaced his father, who had served with distinction as a 12-term Congressman.  Prior to being sworn in as a Member of Congress, John D. Dingell had already dedicated himself to public service through his work as a National Park Ranger, a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, and an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County; and

            Whereas, Over the course of his tenure, Congressman Dingell has strengthened our nation and safeguarded our people in many ways. He has been given the moniker, “The People’s Watchdog in Congress."  What attracts less attention is Congressman Dingell persistent and tenacious work advocating for the constituents and voters he serves; and

            Whereas, His leadership has had a profound impact in such fundamental policy areas as environmental protection, energy, health care, and commerce. The Dean of the House, Representative Dingell has amassed a record unparalleled in scope and depth. Known as a zealous investigator of government waste, fraud, and abuse, John D. Dingell has also been involved as an author and co-author in the crafting of many of the nation's most important environmental and conservation laws; and

Whereas, These encompass not only landmark legislation dealing with brownfield revitalization, safe drinking water, and hazardous and solid waste handling, but also lead exposure reduction, weatherization grants, and energy conservation. These acts include: the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Protection Act, Clean Water Act, National Energy Conservation Policy Act, National Wilderness Act, Water Quality Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge Act that created North America's first international wildlife refuge in southeast Michigan; and

            Whereas, John D. Dingell has worked tirelessly on patient's rights and has made health care for all Americans a priority during his entire career, having offered legislation (first introduced by his father) in every Congress since 1957 that would provide for national health insurance.  His work led to the honor of presiding over the U.S. House of Representatives on April 8, 1965, when the Medicare Act was passed. He has also been a leader in getting the Mammography Quality Standards Act passed and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) signed into law in 1997, and the expansion of this program signed into law in 2009; and

            Whereas, John D. Dingell has also been a strong and vigorous defender of civil rights and civil liberties, having taken a lead on drafting and supporting the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He is also a well-known champion of the Second Amendment; and

            Whereas, Several pressing problems facing our nation at this critical time are policy areas that have long been the focus of Representative Dingell's diligence. Health care, including treatment standards, patient rights, and access for children, have long been championed by this tenacious public servant. Moreover, at a juncture where the very survival of America's large manufacturing industry is in peril, John Dingell brings a breadth of knowledge to these challenges that is unsurpassed. His grasp of key issues and his ability to get results are well documented and admired by all; and

Resolved by the Michigan House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body honor Congressman John D. Dingell on the occasion of his becoming the longest serving member of the United States House of Representatives on this date, February 11, 2009.  On behalf of all of Michigan’s citizens, we offer this resolution as a heartfelt expression of our gratitude to Congressman John D. Dingell for his 19,420 days of dedicated service to the people of his district, the state of Michigan and the United States of America; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.