Today, Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce and the Dean of the House of Representatives, and Congressman Dale Kildee (MI-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education of the Committee on Education & Labor, endorsed Senator Barack Obama for President. The two veteran Michigan Congressmen made the following statements:
Congressman Dingell's
statement:
"When I
endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, I praised her for her intelligence,
commitment, and leadership. I thought she was the best choice in a
strong field of candidates.
"But it is time to be realistic and to unite this party behind our nominee, and I endorse Barack Obama for President of the United States with no hesitation. He has turned hope and change into a reality for our Party and will do so for our nation. His career in the state legislature demonstrates he knows how to get things done. And he has shown the toughness and fortitude that a president must have, grounded in the convictions our best presidents have shared.
"When I came to Congress, segregation was still the law of the land. I nearly lost my congressional seat because of my support for civil rights legislation. I am proud of my party, honored to support our nominee, and committed to working with him when he is President to pass - at long last - national health care for all."
Congressman Kildee's
statement:
"I want to congratulate Senator Hillary Clinton
on running an historic Presidential campaign. I was pleased to
support her.
"Following a spirited primary which has brought record numbers of voters to the Democratic Party and energized Americans across the political spectrum, Senator Barack Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee.
"Senator Obama has the right vision, the right judgment, and the right policies to be a great American President and to maintain America's greatness. I look forward to enthusiastically campaigning with Senator Obama in Michigan, which will be a key battleground state in this election."
