“I want to commend Chairman John Dingell for his nearly 53 years of service to his constituents and to our nation, making him the longest serving member of Congress come next February.  His leadership has resulted in some of the most important legislation of our time, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act.  I, along with my Democratic colleagues, thank him for his decades of tireless work.

 

“John and Debbie Dingell are my close friends, and have been for three decades.  I look forward to working closely with John and drawing on his great experience, legislative wisdom, and political skill as we seek to adopt legislation addressing global warming, health care, and regulatory reform.

 

“I also congratulate Chairman-elect Henry Waxman, and look forward to working with him on the critical health and energy challenges facing our country.  I am confident that with President-elect Obama in the White House and a Democratic Congress, we will make real progress for the American people.”