Rep. John D. Dingell, America's longest-serving Congressman

On Feb. 11, 2009, Michigan's John Dingell begins his 19,420th day on the job, becoming the longest serving member -- ever -- of the U.S. House of Representatives. The 82-year-old Dearborn Democrat has amassed a remarkable list of legislative accomplishments, especially concerning health care and protecting the environment.

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Video interviews and more

Editorial page editor Nolan Finley conducts a wide-ranging interview with Rep. John Dingell. Watch video excerpts and explore the many areas in which Dingell's impact has been felt.

Photos: Dingell's career

John D. Dingell Jr. started an assistant prosecutor in 1953, was elected to the U.S. House in 1956 and was reelected 26 times.

Nation's political elite honor Dingell

House speaker Nancy Pelosi and former President Bill Clinton honor U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, on Tuesday, the day before Dingell breaks the record for longevity in the House.

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. - 02/11/2009

Editorial: Dingell serves long, well

U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, will start his record 19,420th day in the House today.

John Dingell reaches a career milestone today when he becomes the longest-serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives. But in assessing Dingell's career, it's not how long, but how well. - 02/11/2009

Crusader: Rep. Dingell to become America's longest-serving congressman

On Wednesday, Rep. Dingell will mark record 19,420th day on the job at Capitol Hill.

It takes three ingredients to become the longest serving member of "The People's House" -- and John Dingell of Michigan, who achieves that milestone Wednesday, excelled at each. - 02/10/2009

Nolan Finley

Commentary: Fifty-three years in the middle

Returning to Washington from an Eastern Shore duck hunting trip with John Dingell, our car rounded a curve when suddenly the bright, white dome of the Capitol came into view. - 02/10/2009

'Perfect storm' ends chairman's run

"If you are an outsider, you don't understand his rich history and what it takes to pass legislation," Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak says.

John Dingell becomes the longest-serving member in U.S. House history at a bittersweet moment: For the first time since 1981, he's not chairman or ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. - 02/10/2009

The people's auto champion

Dingell, dubbed by a fellow House member 'Tailpipe Johnny' over his industry advocacy, greets then-UAW President Douglas Fraser before a hearing in 1983.

Rep. John Dingell's spirited defense of the auto industry, stretching over a half-century, has seen many rough patches -- but none more difficult than the past two years. - 02/10/2009

Dingell balances cars, environment

Ex-President Bill Clinton, second from left, and Dingell, second from right, hunt with two unidentified companions.

WASHINGTON -- John Dingell's favorite job was being a national park ranger as a young man in Colorado and Washington state, paid to ride horses, trap bears, fight fires and blow up beaver dams. - 02/10/2009

In his own words

Detroit News Editorial Page Editor Nolan Finley sat down with John Dingell on a recent visit to Washington, D.C. - 02/10/2009

Dynamic Duo

Debbie and John Dingell have become one of Washington's power couples

Debbie and John Dingell at the 2005 Memorial Day Parade in Dearborn. Their marriage blended their skills.

He was in his mid-50s, a blue-collar Democrat, divorced. She was in her 20s, a Bill Milliken moderate Republican who still had lunch with the nuns every Sunday. - 02/10/2009

Son strives to measure up to father's public service

U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell Sr. represented Michigan's 15th Congressional District from 1933 to 1955. He died in office and was succeeded by his son.

John Dingell's yardstick for measuring his success dates to his first day in office, in 1956. The 29-year-old had recently won a special election to fill the seat of his father, John Sr., who died in office. - 02/10/2009

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At a Glance

John Dingell

Born: July 8, 1926, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Milestone: On Feb. 11, Dingell begins his 19,420th day in the House.

Before Congress: U.S. Army, House page, national park ranger, U.S. Park Ranger Wayne County assistant prosecutor

Congress: Democrat representing Michigan's 15th Congressional District, chairman or ranking Democrat on House Energy and Commerce Committee from 1981-2008, viewed as legislative giant in shaping landmark laws cleaning up air and water, protecting endangered animals, advocating national health care. Crusader for U.S. automakers and autoworkers.

Family: Wife Deborah, a General Motors executive and high-profile player in the Democratic Party; four adult children from previous marriage, including son Christopher, a Michigan judge.

Hobbies: Passionate outdoorsman, angler and hunter. Trophies decorating Capitol Hill office include white marlin and Russian boar.

Quote: "I thought about running for other things. I was offer jobs by (John) Kennedy and other presidents. But I like the House. I grew up here. My dad was a member. I have a particular feeling for it."

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