DEARBORN — Dean of the U.S. House of Representatives John Dingell was honored on Thursday by the Islamic Center of Detroit (ICD) and the Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO) in a public ceremony.

Representives of the Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO), from right, Ali Baleed Almaklani, Sufian Nabhan, Imad Hamad, Osama Siblani and, far left, Dawud Walid of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, pose with U.S. Rep. John Dingell and his wife Debbie Dingell at the Islamic Center of Detroit on Thursday after presenting the longest serving Congressman with a plaque recognizing his 53 years of service. PHOTO: Nick Meyer/TAAN

Dingell, the longest-serving representative in the House, received a plaque at the Islamic Center from the groups in recognition of his contributions to the Arab American community, his country and 15th District constituents.
Dingell said he was honored to receive the distinction.

“I want to thank the ICD and the CAAO, this is a great honor,” he said. “The friendships I have made in the Arab American community have been of great importance to me.”

CAAO spokesman and Publisher of The Arab American News Osama Siblani talked about Dingell’s character in an introduction.

“He is a fearless leader who will not be intimidated and who will always do the right thing,” he said.

Dingell voted “present” in a January vote for a resolution expressing support for Israeli military attacks on Gaza. He was one of only a handful of representatives who didn’t vote for the resolution.

He said Thursday that he’s always been unhappy with the previous administration’s approach to foreign policy and that he hopes the U.S. can play the role of “honest broker” in conflicts thoughout the region, by bringing people together and solving problems.

“We thank him for abstaining from the vote on Gaza. We thank him for taking that position,” Siblani said, adding that Dingell didn’t think the resolution was balanced.

Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly was also on hand to honor Dingell, and he recalled his experiences working under him in Washington, D.C.

“What he did behind closed doors was the same thing he did in public, he was honest and dedicated to the needs of his people,” he said.

“His people is everybody, even if they’re not in his district.”

Dingell, who has served in Dearborn for most of his long political career, talked about his affinity for the Arab American community after accepting the honor.

“The Arab American community has helped us build better communities and I want you to know how grateful I am for that,” he said.

“I’ve never been in an Arab American institution whether a business or a mosque where I have not felt warmth, friendship, and kindness.”