Former President Barack Obama thanked the late Rep. John Dingell on Thursday for spending his life in service of others.
“John Dingell’s life reminds us that change does not always come with a flash, but instead with steady, determined effort,” the 44th president wrote in a statement about the Michigan Democrat.
Obama recalled how Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress, was a driving force behind “so much of the progress” that is often taken for granted, including the passage of Medicare and the Civil Rights Act. Dingell, who first entered Congress in 1955, also helped the Obama administration bail out the auto industry, which was once the lifeblood of his home state.
“John sat beside me when I signed the Affordable Care Act — a law that nearly cut in half the uninsured rate in America. He had a long tradition of introducing legislation on the first day of each new Congress to guarantee health care for every single American,” said Obama. “Because of him, we’ve come closer to that vision than ever before. And when we finally achieve it — and we will — we’ll all owe him our gratitude.”
Obama was joined Thursday evening in offering condolences to the Dingell family by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
“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,” Clinton wrote. “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.”
Bush shared how he had his last conversation with Dingell on Thursday afternoon, thanking him for setting an example for all public servants.
“He was a fine gentleman who showed great respect for our country and her people,” Bush wrote.
Dingell died Thursday at the age of 92. He had entered hospice care earlier this week.
