Dingell, John D. (John David), 1894-1955

Democratic U.S. Congressman from Michigan's 15th District.

John D. Dingell was born in Detroit on February 2, 1894. He resided in the city for his entire life, except for a brief stay in Colorado Springs, where he met and married his wife, Grace. Dingell pursued various careers, including newspaper writer and wholesale meat broker, before being elected to Congress in 1932 from Michigan's newly-created 15th District. He served Detroit continuously as U.S. Representative until his death on September 19, 1955 (his seat has since that date been filled by his son, John D. Dingell).

Dingell was elected as a "wet" Democrat and was an ardent supporter of Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal. He was a member of the Ways and Means Committee from his second term. In the committee, Dingell helped to hammer out the Social Security Act. For the next twenty years he introduced bills to liberalize and extend Social Security benefits. Dingell was an outspoken and active spokesman for the employees of the Federal Government. His other legislative interests included the reduction or elimination of excise taxes; he also submitted numerous bills on trade issues, especially trade with Canada. He was one of the earliest and most consistent champions of the St. Lawrence Seaway project. From 1943 to his death, Dingell led the unsuccessful fight in the House for President Truman's national health insurance program.

Dingell was identified with most of the liberal Democratic issues of his day. He was, however, in advance of the bulk of his peers in working for anti-pollution laws, anti-lynch bills, and economic aid for Israel. Dingell also conscientiously pursued more mundane projects, such as new post offices, commemorative stamps for Detroit, and personal appeals from constituents.