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The Dean: The Longest-Serving Member’s Career in Photos

By Jason Dick
Posted June 6, 2013 at 6:56pm

Rep. John D. Dingell becomes the longest-serving member of Congress on Friday, eclipsing the record of the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd at 57 years, five months and 26 days.

The House will fete him next week for his distinguished career.

Dingell’s time in Congress predates him being a member, as he attended the Capitol Page School while his father, the late Rep. John Dingell, was a House member.

He was elected to succeed his father in December 1955 and has fashioned a career championing health care and overseeing wide swaths of the U.S. economy from his position atop the Energy and Commerce Committee. Here is a selection of images by our photographers and from the CQ Roll Call archives that represents but a sample of the Michigan Democrat’s storied career.

His 1939 Capitol Page School class photo (Dingell is bottom row, ninth from the right).
His 1939 Capitol Page School class photo (Dingell is bottom row, ninth from the right).
Being sworn in by Speaker Sam Rayburn in 1955.
Being sworn in by Speaker Sam Rayburn in 1955.

 

In his Rayburn office in 1997.
In his Rayburn office in 1997.
At a news conference introducing legislation to regulate tobacco in 2001.
At a news conference introducing legislation to regulate tobacco in 2001.
Lining up a target on the skeet range during 2004's 10th Annual Great Congressional Shoot-Out in Glenn Dale, Maryland.
Lining up a target on the skeet range during 2004’s 10th Annual Great Congressional Shoot-Out in Glenn Dale, Md.
In this 2007 photo, showing off his extensive collection of gavels.
In 2007, showing off his extensive collection of gavels.
Standing behind Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., after passage of the health care overhaul in 2009. A year earlier, Waxman had ousted Dingell as the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce panel.
Standing behind Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., after passage of the health care overhaul in 2009. Nearly a year earlier, Waxman had ousted Dingell as chairman of the Energy and Commerce panel.

 

Leaving the Capitol in May of this year.
Leaving the Rayburn House Office Building in May of this year.

 

 

 

 

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