Heard on the Hill

John Dingell’s 90th is the Party of the Year

Both sides of the aisle celebrate with the former congressman

Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., leads the crowd in singing a birthday song to former Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing room, also known as the John D. Dingell Room, on Wednesday. Dingell is celebrating his 90th birthday. In the background are Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas and Gene Green, D-Texas. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., leads the crowd in singing a birthday song to former Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing room, also known as the John D. Dingell Room, on Wednesday. Dingell is celebrating his 90th birthday. In the background are Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas and Gene Green, D-Texas. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
By Alex Gangitano
Posted July 6, 2016 at 6:46pm

Everyone knows John Dingell brings the fun. And bipartisanship and ice cream.  

The Michigan State Society, in cahoots with Dingell’s wife, Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, threw the Dean a 90th birthday party on Wednesday in the room named after him in the Rayburn Office Building.  

The former congressman, who turns 90 on Friday, told the crowd of members from both sides of the aisle, “I love you all and we all have wonderful memories.”  

Attendees included Michigan colleagues Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, Republican Rep. Fred Upton and Democrat Rep. Dan Kildee.  

Also celebrating were Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas, Joseph P. Kennedy III, D-Mass., Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Dave Brat, R-Va., Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Gwen Graham, D-Fla., among others.  

UNITED STATES - JULY 6: Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., poses with former Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., as Rep. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., takes their photo in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing room, also known as the John Dingell Room, on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. Dingell is celebrating his 90th birthday. In the background are Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas and Gene Green, D-Texas. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon., poses with former Rep. John Dingell as Rep. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., takes their photo. {Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Upton led the group in singing a birthday song that he joked he learned on the Republican side.  

“This is your birthday song it doesn’t last too long, hey!” the crowd sang.  

The party was complete with a bar and ice cream sundae buffet with various candies and toppings.  

“Someone asked me is she up for the job,” Dingell said while thanking his wife for the party. “There’s something you should know about this woman: She can tell you what to do for 35 years.”  

“She’s good and smart and the best friend I’ve ever had,” he added.  

Debbie Dingell succeeded her husband in his congressional seat in 2015.


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