Dingell Now Longest-Serving Member of Congress

Broadcasting advocate has served over 57 years

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/7/2013 12:46:56 PM

Former House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.), 86, Friday became the longest-serving member of Congress in history -- he was elected in 1955 -- which drew congratulations from the president.

"I want to congratulate Congressman John Dingell on becoming the longest-serving member of Congress in our country's history," the president said in a statement. "First elected in 1955 to the seat formerly held by his father, John Dingell Sr., John has always worked tirelessly for people of his beloved Michigan and for working families across America. He has helped pass some of the most important laws of the last half-century, from Medicare to the Civil Rights Act to the Clean Air Act to the Affordable Care Act, and he continues to fight for workers' rights, access to affordable healthcare, and the preservation of our environment for future generations to enjoy.  Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to John and his family, and I look forward to congratulating him in person at the White House next week."

Dingell has been in Congress even longer than those 57-plus years, serving as a page starting in 1937. He surpasses the term of Robert Byrd, the iconic West Virginia Democrat, who served 57 years, 176 days. 

Dingell remains an active member, just this week sending one of his famous Dingellgrams (a request for info from an agency) to acting FCC chairwoman Mignon Clyburn about spectrum issues. Dingell has long been a fan of broadcasters, pushing to insure they were treated fairly in the first DTV transition and taking up the same standard for what will essentially be the second transition following FCC incentive spectrum auctions.