An Evening Honoring the Energy and Commerce Committee

Chairman Greg Walden, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Congressman Upton, and Chairman Dingell
Chairman Greg Walden, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Congressman Upton, and Chairman Dingell

On May 23, 2018 the United States Capitol Historical Society hosted an evening reception to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce — the oldest committee in Congress. Current and former members and staff of the Committee, along with members of the Society enjoyed the evening’s program in magnificent National Statuary Hall.

Before the reception, event donors from the Society joined Chairman Greg Walden, Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., Former Chairmen Fred Upton and John Dingell, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for a meet-and-greet in the Rayburn Room.

The Capitol Police Ceremonial Unit presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the evening, followed by a toast to the Committee given by Chairman of the USCHS Board of Trustees Don Carlson. Chairman Greg Walden delivered warm remarks, noting his great appreciation for the staff and their contributions to the incredible work of the Energy and Commerce Committee. With great humor, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. told the story of how he finally convinced then-Chairman John Dingell to let him onto the Committee in 1992.

The first of two keynote speakers, Former Chairman John Dingell — who holds the record for longest Congressional service at 59 years, 21 days — was welcomed back with a loud and extended round of applause from the audience. With a large poster of planet Earth to his right, Chairman Dingell reminded the room that the Committee’s jurisdiction is far reaching, and that the Committee’s decisions “have an impact on all of us.”  The second keynote speaker, Former Chairman Fred Upton shared adoring anecdotes of his friendship with Chairman Dingell, including his pride for the many Dingell-Upton and Upton-Dingell bills that passed through the committee and were signed into law, and their shared hospitality when visiting each other’s districts on opposite sides of Michigan.

Several posters containing photos of the Energy and Commerce Committee over the years were set up around the room for the guests to enjoy and reminisce. Current and Former staffers were thrilled to spend time and reconnect with colleagues.

 

Read a brief history of the of the House Energy & Commerce Committee.

 

The event was made possible through the generous support of these donors:

Allergan
Amway
Chevron
Corn Refiners Association
Comcast NBCUniversal
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
Roche Diagnostics Corporation