DEARBORN — The longest serving member of Congress will retire at the end of the year. After 58 years in Congress, U.S. Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.) announced on Monday, Feb. 24, that he would not seek reelection in November, drawing the curtain on 29 Congressional terms.

Dingell, of Dearborn, 87, a World War II veteran, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1955 in a special election to fill the seat of his father Congressman John Dingell, Sr., who died while in office. In 1995, Dingell became the “dean” of the House after becoming its longest continuously serving member. 

The lawmaker, a consumer advocate, is known for sponsoring environmental bills and supporting the auto industry. He chaired the Energy and Commerce Committee from 1981-1994 and 2007-2008. 

The 6′ 3”-tall Dingell is known by his fellow members of Congress as “Big John.” He cited health concerns and frustration with the “obnoxious” House of Representatives as reasons for not seeking reelection.

“I’m not going to be carried out feet first,” said Dingell at a Southgate luncheon, where he announced his retirement on Monday. “I don’t want people to say I stayed too long.”

Mariam Bazzi, the president of the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC), praised the outgoing congressman for his dedication to the people he represents.

“He has always been a friend to the community. He has always been loyal to his constituents and did what he believed was right for the people,” she said. 

Bazzi added that Dingell engaged the community before voting on major bills in Washington. 

The congressman voted against the Iraq War and was one of eight members of the House who voted against a resolution supporting Israel’s war efforts in Lebanon in 2006.

“He voted this way partly because many of his constituents are Arab Americans, but also because he believed it was right,” explained Bazzi. 

The Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani said Dingell understood foreign policy better than most people in Congress.

“For the last 15-20 years he has changed his stand in many issues in the Middle East and voted contrarily to the majority in Congress,” Siblani said. “He did it firmly and courageously.”

Siblani added that the American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC) fought Dingell after he changed his position and tried to “deprive” him of money from contributors in the Jewish community. 

“He has consulted the Arab American community on issues and resolutions that affect them and the countries they came from,” stated Siblani. “He has been a great leader working for decades for all the American people. He has also been a close and real friend to Arab and Muslim Americans.”

Siblani said the last time the congressman had a discussion with the community on a subject relating to the Arab World was when the White House was planning a military strike against Syria last October. Dingell met with community leaders to hear their opinions and discuss his vote, according to Siblani.

“He recognized our differences but wanted us to be involved,” explained Siblani. He wished Dingell a “happy retirement.”

“He is exiting at a crucial time in the history of the world. His courage and leadership will be greatly needed,” added the publisher. “We also have to salute him for leaving the job while he could still do it. That shows tremendous commitment to public service.” 

Bazzi said the committee is willing to cooperate with any qualified candidate who wants to run for Dingell’s seat.

“Those are pretty big shoes to fill,” the AAPAC president said of Dingell’s post. “We have many qualified people in the community, and we are open to engage anyone who is willing to fill those shoes. Congressman Dingell is very well respected. He is a great person who always sticks by his convictions. We want a person with the same type of conviction to replace him and serve the entire district, including Arab Americans.” 

Many Arab American organizations lauded Dingell for his commitment to and friendship with the community.

Ali Baleed Almaklani, the executive director of the Yemeni American Benevolent Association (YABA), said Dingell is a “hero” for the  residents of his district and the American people.

“It will be hard to fill the void he is going to leave behind,” said Almaklani. “He came to all of the community’s events and was always available in his office to discuss the issues here and overseas. As a Michigan Democrat and a member of YABA, I am honored that he is my congressman.”

Almaklani emphasized the “special relationship” Dingell had with the Arab American community, adding that the congressman always stood for what’s right regardless of political calculations. 

ACCESS thanked Dingell for his “legendary” service and described him as “a dear friend and an iconic leader.”

“During Dingell’s more than 58 years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives, he championed many issues important to the Arab American community and metro Detroit, advocating for the end of racial profiling after 9/11, fighting to protect Social Security and working to reform health care and labor standards,” noted a statement by ACCESS.

Hassan Jaber, ACCESS executive director, said the congressman has advocated for the civil rights and interests of all his constituents, regardless of their background. 

“We extend our gratitude to Congressman Dingell and his wife, Debbie Dingell, who have given so many years of service to our community. They both are exemplary citizens, public servants and leaders in the community,” he said.

The Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) acknowledged the congressman’s achievements and voiced its appreciation of his tenure. 

“From Michigan to Washington, Congressman Dingell fought hard to save the auto industry. Hence, he saved thousands of jobs along with the state’s economy,” reads a statement by the civil rights organization. “The ACRL family would like to thank Congressman Dingell for 58 years of service.”

President Barack Obama hailed Dingell as “one of the most influential legislators of all time,” citing his support for the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and efforts to pass Medicare in 1965.

Vice President Joe Biden said Dingell respected his constituents the most, bemoaning the loss of “a great public servant” with Dingell’s retirement. 

“It was a privilege walking the floor of the Detroit Auto Show with John this past January,” the vice president said in a statement. “I’ve never known a man who has been a better champion of the American worker. He deserves a great deal of credit for the resurgence of the iconic American automobile industry.”

But praise for Dingell did not come from Democrats only. Despite political disagreements, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) thanked Dingell on behalf of the entire Congress. 

“Today I extend my gratitude to John Dingell for his nearly six decades of service to the people’s House. He and I have our differences of opinion, to be sure, but that does not diminish my respect for his sincerity and integrity. I know these sentiments are shared by colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and we wish John, Debbie and their family all the best,” Boehner said in a statement.

The congressman voiced his political support for his wife if she chooses to run for Congress. “I want that woman [Debbie] to be happy. I want her to enjoy all the things that mean something to her. I want her to be able to do the things that she wants and if she wants to run for Congress, I want her to do that,” he told the Post.

Debbie, 60, a graduate of The Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, is no stranger to politics. She worked as a lobbyist for GM for four years before marrying Dingell in 1981. She is also an active member in Michigan’s Democratic Party. 

Debbie, who has represented her husband at many community events, ran Al Gore’s presidential campaign in Michigan in 2000. She also was a superdelegate at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

She currently serves as the chairwoman of Wayne State University’s board of governors and sits on the board of many charitable organizations, including the Barbara Karmanos Cancer Center. Her roots run deep in Detroit, as her grandfather was one of the founders of Fisher Body, a car body manufacturer that was acquired by General Motors in 1926.  

Debbie will compete for Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, which includes Dearborn, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and most Downriver communities. 

Siblani said Debbie is qualified for the job, describing her as a “friend of the Arab American community.”

“She has always been interested in politics and involved in this community. She understands the issues,” he said. “But I am not ready to endorse anyone at this point.”

Asked if the Arab American community can have its own candidate for Dingell’s seat, Siblani said, “There is no reason why we can’t be involved. However, I do not believe an Arab candidate can raise the money needed for the campaign in such a short time. And the district stretches to Monroe and other places where the Arab community has no presence.”