'Dean Of The House' To Be Named 'Dean Of Twitter'
By Edward Cardenas
YPSILANTI (CBS Detroit) - The former "Dean of the House" John Dingell will be named the "Dean of Twitter" at an event Saturday.
The 89-year-old who served in World War II, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is the longest-serving member of Congress. He served southeast Michigan for 60 years in Congress.
While still in office in 2010, he joined the micro-blogging site Twitter to share his thoughts about national issues, sports and supporting his wife, Debbie, who won his 12th District seat in 2014.
Even though he no longer holds office, he still is an active user of the 140-character social media service.
Some of his recent Tweets include:
I spend my days reading, writing, and napping, and I spend my evenings watching @umichsoftball and @tigers games.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) May 29, 2015
Retirement is ????????. #GoBlue
Thinking of you during this difficult time, @VP and @DrBiden. You and your loving family are in my thoughts and prayers.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) May 31, 2015
Back in DC and it's hotter than the bells of Hell in this unbearable swamp. Nothing makes you miss a Michigan winter quite like a DC summer.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) June 16, 2015
It's not often you can be proud of posting a #tbt, but today is no ordinary Thursday.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) June 25, 2015
Thank you, @POTUS. pic.twitter.com/owQgJS0jYc
Hang in there, @MiguelCabrera. I come up limping sometimes, too.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 4, 2015
Alright, Mississippi, now it's your turn.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 10, 2015
Waiting for my wife at the airport. Congress truly does move slower than molasses.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 10, 2015
To honor Dingell's savy social media posts, political blog Eclectablog will bestow upon him the title of 'The Dean of Twitter' at a fundraiser Saturday at the Arbor Brewing Company Microbrewery. In addition to receiving the honor, Dingell will read some of his Tweets.
This honor comes nearly one year after BuzzFeed called Dingell, "Probably The Best Person on Twitter" for Tweets including:
I'm the last original author of the Clean Water Act, but I have no idea who/what a Kardashian is and I rarely play games. You OK, @EPAwater?
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 22, 2014
Staff has now informed me of what a Kardashian is.
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 22, 2014
I'm only left with more questions.
With the House adjourned for the week, I'm taking my talents back to Michigan to spend time with constituents. #MI12 pic.twitter.com/1saVo5ubpT
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 18, 2014
Working on speech to an auditorium full of Congressional Interns tomorrow. Staff advises it should be less A, more B. pic.twitter.com/YRlJ31cj8c
— John Dingell (@JohnDingell) July 15, 2014
This report was updated 10:22 a.m. Monday.