For Immediate Release: February 7, 2019
Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton on the passing of John Dingell
Hillary and I mourn the passing of John Dingell, one of the finest public servants in American history. For nearly 60 years, John represented the people of Michigan with honor, integrity, great good humor, and an unequaled ability to get good legislation passed. There are few major legislative triumphs since 1955 that John didn’t have a key hand in passing. He was a passionate advocate for health care for all and was instrumental in creating Medicare and passing the Afforable Care Act; a defender of the environment who helped pass the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act; and tireless champion of civil rights who would often cite his vote for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as the proudest and most important of his career. His respect for his constituents, his colleagues of both parties, and the institutions of Congress are a valuable reminder today of what a noble calling public service can be. Hillary and I are grateful to have had the chance to work with him, to celebrate his becoming the longest-serving member of Congress in history, and most of all, to call him our friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Debbie and his entire family.
