(CNN) Former Rep. John Dingell, the longest serving member of Congress on record and a politician whose voice loomed large even after he left Capitol Hill, passed away Thursday. "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of John David Dingell, Jr., former Michigan Congressman and longest-serving member of the United States Congress," the office of his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, said in a statement. He was a lion of the United States Congress and a loving son, father, husband, grandfather, and friend. "John Dingell was a giant legislator on behalf of the people," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Dingell served in the House of Representatives for 59 years and 22 days, from 1955 to 2015.

Source: CNN February 08, 2019 02:37 UTC