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Rep. John Dingell to seek 28th term in Congress
John David Dingell Jr., at age 83 and having already set a record for longevity in the U.S. House of Representatives, is setting out for a 28th two-year term in Congress.He made the announcement this morning before a group of University of Michigan student Democrats in Ann Arbor, saying he can't walk away at a time when the economy is still reeling, environmental protections are needed andhealth care reform legislation has come as far as it has. "These are challenges this nation must confront," he said. "I think it is time for all hands on deck." Dingell's future had been in question: After winning reelection for the 26th time in 2008, he was knocked out of his job as the Democratic chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee by California's Heny Waxman. And a year has gone by since he passed the late Jamie Whitten of Mississippi as the longest serving member of the U.S. House ever, with a congressional tenure stretching back to 1955. He had knee replacement surgery in 2008 and is still seen traversing the Capitol on crutches, or on a motorized scooter. Meanwhile, his longstanding fight for health care reform appeared stymied between House and Senate, after coming closer to fruition than ever before. Dingell inherited the battle from his dad, who served before him in Congress in the then-Detroit based seat. The elder John David Dingell fought for universal health care and the son took up the mantle. Posted by: Fred 2010-02-21 |
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