EDITORIAL: Rep. John D. Dingell, Jr.

THE REDISTRICTING THAT pitted Rep. John D. Dingell, Jr. against Rep. Lynn Rivers caused many bruised feelings when Rep. Rivers lost. To his credit (and that of his wife, soon-to-be U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell) the pair worked mightily to win over the hearts of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Democrats who saw Rep. John Dingell’s efforts on behalf of the Big Three automakers to quash better fuel economy standards as environmentally short-sighted.  Rep. Dingell’s ties to the NRA irritated local progressives in favor of more stringent gun control laws.

President Obama recently presented 88-year-old Rep. John Dingell with a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Mr. Dingell, after casting his last vote in the U.S. House of Representatives, was recognized by Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner.

Days ago, Mr. Dingell was admitted to a Washington, DC hospital after suffering a hairline fracture of his hip. Fortunately, the injury will not require surgery, but his wife, in a touching Facebook message, said that his recovery will take several weeks. “I want John at my side when they swear me in on January 6th,” she wrote to her 6,856 Facebook followers.

The Dingells, as they are known locally, have been extraordinarily accessible to Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County residents. Mr. Dingell, unlike others among Michigan’s Congressional delegation, spent considerable time in his district each year. Since Mr. Dingell vanquished Lynn Rivers, The Dingells have attended gatherings of Democrats, dedications of buildings, bridges, parks and schools. There is the annual Ann Arbor unity pancake breakfast, held shortly after the Democratic primary elections each Fall. It’s an opportunity for The Dingells to help local Democratic candidates come together, winners and losers.

If Mr. Dingell wasn’t able to attend an event, his wife was there in his place. While Mrs. Dingell’s political aspirations rankled some, her sincerity and warm demeanor smoothed over the fact that it was her husband and not she whom the voters had elected to office.

We wish Mr. Dingell a speedy recovery and thank him for his service to the people of Ann Arbor, the 12th District and the United States. His tenacity, experience and political acumen will be sorely missed. Mr. Dingell served Michigan for 59 years and 1 day. We didn’t always agree with his votes, but never doubted he conducted the people’s business with abiding honesty and deep respect for those whom he represented.