Washington, D.C. – Dean of the United States House of Representatives, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) released the following statement today to clarify his statements made at Georgetown University yesterday— 

“Yesterday, I spoke to students and alumni at Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute about the challenges this nation, state and local communities face.  I have always told it as I see it and did so yesterday. 

“My comments on Detroit were sincere, but they were about the past.  I never want to seem flip about my devotion, care, and concern about places and people that are very dear to me, including the City of Detroit.  I was raised in Detroit, Debbie was born and raised in Detroit, and we love Detroit.  Detroit must succeed for all of us and I am committed to the city's future. 

“I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Mayor Bing, and my comments about Detroit yesterday were a reflection on past Administrations that helped dig the hole the city finds itself in, not on the current Administration that is trying desperately to get the city out of the hole.  I am and always have worked for the betterment of the City and its people, and I intend to continue that course.  I have met with both Governor Snyder and Mayor Bing recently, and we have further meetings planned this month to discuss federal, state, and local ways to bring about change, because change has to come.  I look forward to attending the Mayor’s State of the City later this month and thank him for his invitation.

“I am hopeful that under Mayor Bing’s leadership and the support of residents, business, and all levels of government, our Detroit will be what we all want it to be.  Detroit's rebirth has already begun and I am hopeful that in time, our Detroit will be what we all know it can be.  Together, through hard work and sacrifice, Detroit will succeed. As Eminem distinctively said in the Chrysler 200 Super Bowl ad that we all love, ‘It's what we do.’”

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