As the clock winds down on one of the most bitter and ugly campaigns for the White House, now's as good of a time as any to switch gears and get a little inspiration from another political figure, former U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D., Dearborn).
Now 90 and weakened by two heart procedures he received at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit a year ago this month, Dingell - America's longest-serving congressman - has always been a Great Lakes warrior.
People sometimes forget that because of Dingell's unwavering support for the automobile industry, which often was in contrast to Democratic Party initiatives to tighten auto fuel economy standards as a way of reducing air pollution and slowing down the release of climate-altering carbon dioxide emissions.
His continued support for that industry is believed to be one of the reasons former U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) successfully wrestled away his long grip on the chairmanship of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee near the end of both of their careers.
But Dingell's impact on the environment has been immense.
He was one of the chief architects of the landmark 1972 federal Clean Water Act, which ushered in the modern era of sewage treatment.
He authored the 1973 Endangered Species Act, which has saved hundreds of plants and animals across the country at risk of extinction.
Dingell wrote the National Environmental Policy Act, known as NEPA, which requires federal agencies to consider environmental consequences of development projects before they are built.
He had important roles in other major legislation, such as the 1990 Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments of 1986 and 1996, the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, and the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Accompanied by his wife of 35 years, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D., Dearborn), former U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D., Dearborn) is moved into position to speak at the July 29 event. THE BLADE/LORI KING
One of Dingell's biggest sources of pride and joy, though, was his lead role in helping establish the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, which has been increasing in size since it was created in 2001 and now locks down vital habitat for more than 60 fish species and more than 300 migratory bird species. That refuge is the first and still the only wildlife sanctuary the United States and Canada are jointly managing.
Dingell has largely faded from public view since leaving office on Jan. 3, 2015 after spending 59 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Even with his newly implanted pacemaker, that seems completely reasonable given his age, his long list of accomplishments, and where he's at in life.
Think about it.
Dingell has earned a break. He ran for re-election every two years for almost six decades.
He really has nothing left to prove.
What inspires me is how determined he has been to be part of two ceremonial land transfers that have brought more acreage to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge since late July.
Dingell attended a July 29 ceremony in downtown Monroe and, more recently, one in northeastern Monroe County's Berlin Township on Oct. 4.
It's not easy for him to attend such events.
Painful, actually.
But his love of nature soothes him.
On July 29, he attended a ceremony inside a bank building, where the Port of Monroe donated 33 acres to the River Raisin National Battlefield Park and 35 acres to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
Dingell showed up in a wheelchair.
He grimaced in pain a few times. He told me his heart's working fine and his health is generally good, but his arthritis is pervasive throughout his body and severely limits his mobility.
What stood out to me about that appearance wasn't just the words he spoke on behalf of nature, but also on behalf of his wife of 35 years, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D., Dearborn), the woman who replaced him in Congress.
Dingell showed on several occasions he still has a razor-sharp wit and sense of humor, telling the crowd he had absolutely no qualms about recommending his wife when supporters asked who should succeed him.
"Who the hell do you think has been telling me how I'm doing [in Congress]?" he said.
As Debbie, 62, stood up from her seat and started to mingle with people standing in the back of the room, he quipped: "I'm going to pay for this, I want you to know."
Then, during a lengthy interview he cordially gave me after that dedication, Dingell dished out thoughts about the 2016 presidential election.
He said his wife is working on Hillary's campaign, and that his children have dubbed her the "white tornado" for the pace she keeps, which - on that day - meant little sleep after arriving back late in Michigan the night before from the Democratic National Convention.
Dingell reaped praise on his wife several other times during that interview, almost tearing up as he confessed he never knew she could make him so happy at this stage of his life.
"She's beautiful," he whispered.
Debbie told the crowd earlier it was important for him to attend that ceremony because "his heart and soul" were in those projects.
She said both of them miss their Monroe friends, and that he continues to be engaged in current events.
"He never, ever stops thinking and plotting," she said with a chuckle, "and I could use some other words."
Former U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D., Dearborn) addressing 100 people at a land dedication on Oct. 4. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON
On Oct. 4, Dingell showed up using only a walker at a ceremony in which Clive Taylor and his wife, Clarice, now of Gibraltar, Mich., donated 43 acres of environmentally unique land to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
Dingell again spoke passionately about the outdoors.
“Look around you,” Dingell told the crowd. “We have a most beautiful place that is a profound and precious gift. This is a wonderful treasure we will protect.”
His wife told the Taylors they wanted to thank them "from the bottom of our soul.”
“People don’t understand how important the environment is. We have to instill that in future generations. We have to get our young people to appreciate the wildlife we have," Debbie said.
As he stood at the podium - shaky, yet showing signs of improvement - Dingell made some passing comment about how he feels bad he can't physically do what he used to do.
It was a reference to the site's gorgeous woods and ponds that the Taylors built there over the past 15 years, converting a flat, wide-open soybean field into a picturesque wildlife sanctuary.
The Taylors encouraged their 100 or so guests at that event to hike through the woods and explore the property.
Dingell's body may be slowing down.
But his heartbeat for nature remains strong.
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