John David Dingell Jr., at age 86, is in much the same spot he has been in since Dec. 13, 1955, representing a congressional district in southeast Michigan and performing all the tasks that come with it: answering constituent requests, appearing in parades and, as always, passing legislation.
On Friday, June 7, his record for longevity becomes officially unmatched, as Dingell, D-Dearborn, surpasses the late Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia as the longest-serving member of Congress ever.
Update:
Dingell, 92, died Thursday January 7, 2019, at his home in Dearborn. He was one of the House’s most powerful chairmen and helped write and pass some of the most consequential legislation in the nation’s history.
Dingell served nearly 60 years in the House, making him the longest-serving member in Congress’ history. He stepped down in early 2015.
For the full article, see Todd Spangler, “Michigan’s Rep. John Dingell will set record as longest-serving congressman”, Detroit Free Press, June 2, 2013.
For another, see Marisa Shultz, “After 57 years in U.S. House, Dingell says there’s still more to do”, Detroit News, June 6, 2013.
“Bill Clinton, Joe Biden among speakers at John Dingell funeral masses”, Detroit Free Press, February 10, 2019.