John D. Dingell Jr., a Michigan Democrat who, as the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. history, used his considerable power in the House of Representatives to uncover government fraud and defend the interests of his home state’s automobile industry, died Feb. 7 at his home in Dearborn.

He was 92.

First elected in 1955, Dingell became revered on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill for his legislative prowess while shaping some of the most consequential bills in the last century.

He introduced legislation that created a Civil Rights Division in the Justice Department and became an indefatigable proponent of health-care reform, annually sponsoring the national health-care legislation that his father introduced in 1943.

He presided over the House when Medicare was passed in 1965, and lent the gavel he had used that day to then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who used it when the House passed the 2010 health-care overhaul.

After a historic tenure, Dingell retired in 2014 in frustration over the entrenched partisanship that came to define Congress in his final years.

“I find serving in the House to be obnoxious,” Dingell told The Detroit News when he announced his retirement. “It’s become very hard because of the acrimony and bitterness.”

He used his final days on Capitol Hill to warn future generations about the growing partisanship.

“Like all of you, I’m troubled about the times in which we find ourselves. We have too much ill-will, too much hatred, too much bitterness, too much anger,” Dingell said at an event marking his record as the longest-serving member of Congress in 2013. “Congress means ‘a coming together,’ where people come together to work for great causes in which they all have an important interest. … We have, I think, unfortunately, because of the pressure of the times, forgotten this.”

In what would be his final tweet yesterday, Dingell thanked supporters for their “incredibly kind words and prayers.”

He also added, “You’re not done with me just yet.”

The Lovely Deborah is insisting I rest and stay off here, but after long negotiations we've worked out a deal where she'll keep up with Twitter for me as I dictate the messages. I want to thank you all for your incredibly kind words and prayers. You're not done with me just yet. — John Dingell (@JohnDingell) February 6, 2019

Dingell’s roots on Capitol Hill started to take form in his childhood.

He often visited the Capitol with his father, Rep. John Dingell Sr. (D-Mich.), and served as a House page when he was 12 years old.

Dingell’s father served in the House for 22 years until he died in office in 1955.

Dingell, at the time only 29, ran in the special election to replace his father and continue the family dynasty.

With Debbie Dingell’s election in 2014, the Detroit-based district has now been represented by the family since 1933.

In retirement, Dingell became a social-media star as he took to Twitter with self-deprecating jokes and of-the-moment commentary.

“Staff has now informed me of what a Kardashian is,” he tweeted in 2014, referring to the family famous for its tabloid appearances and reality TV shows. “I’m only left with more questions.”

Condolences were quick to be made on social media tonight:

What a life. As the longest-serving member of Congress, John Dingell helped increase access to health care, defended the auto industry, and was always good for just the right tweet. Sending @RepDebDingell and the rest of her family all my love. — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 8, 2019

We lost a legend and hero tonight — a total one of a kind. Rest in peace @JohnDingell. Thank you for all that you did for us — we are a better country because of it. My sincere sympathies to @RepDebDingell and the entire family. — Stephanie Cutter (@stefcutter) February 8, 2019

John Dingell was a giant. He served during WWII, and was the longest serving Member of the House in history, where he helped create Medicare, craft the Affordable Care Act, and pass the Civil Rights Act. His presence will always be felt in the House of Representatives. Always. https://t.co/hzy8lfzAPD — Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) February 8, 2019

Incredibly sad news, this @politico obit for “The Dean,” @JohnDingell — possibly one of the most intimidating and hilarious members of Congress I’ve ever had the privilege of reporting on, whose impact on this country is probably incalculable.https://t.co/KegW7xfcCg — Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) February 8, 2019

Rest In Peace, #JohnDingell. It was an honor to serve with a giant of Congress who helped write the Affordable Care Act & cared about oversight of the executive branch. His work will live on through his wife @RepDebDingell & a new generation inspired by his sick Twitter burns. — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 8, 2019

No one fought harder to make health care a human right than @JohnDingell. He believed in the power of government to even out the arbitrary hard edges of life, and I’m lucky to have served with him and leaned from him. RIP. — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 8, 2019

Rest In Peace, @JohnDingell. A leader who believed in the power and the obligation of the legislative branch to improve the lives of Americans. May his memory, and his example be a blessing for all of us. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 8, 2019

Rest In Peace to a congressional giant, @JohnDingell https://t.co/kDnyzN25SB — Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) February 8, 2019

My thoughts & prayers are with my old friend, @JohnDingell. While we didn't agree on everything, I've always had great respect for him and his service to our nation. He made America better. — John Kasich (@JohnKasich) February 6, 2019

RIP @JohnDingell. A man who proved you're never to old to kick ass on the Twitter machine. — Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) February 8, 2019

John Dingell defined what it meant to be a Member of Congress. — Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) February 8, 2019