Former President Clinton joked Thursday that nobody wanted to miss the funeral for Rep. John Dingell John DingellRaces heat up for House leadership posts Democrats flubbed opportunity to capitalize on postal delays COVID-19 bill limiting liability would strike the wrong balance MORE (D-Mich.) because it was their only chance to get "the last word" with the late veteran congressman.

"One of the reasons none of us would have missed this is that this is the only time in our entire lives in public service that we were in the same room as John Dingell and got the last word," Clinton said.

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The remark was met with heavy laughter and applause from the audience, including Clinton's wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonButtigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Senate GOP sees early Supreme Court vote as political booster shot Poll: 51 percent of voters want to abolish the electoral college MORE, who sat next to Rep. Debbie Dingell Deborah (Debbie) Ann DingellRaces heat up for House leadership posts Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell easily wins House primary Court orders release of Black Michigan teen who was jailed for missing schoolwork MORE (D-Mich.), the late congressman's wife.

Dingell also appeared to enjoy the remark, though her reaction came as she was fighting tears.

Clinton then turned to the casket: "Don't you dare jump up and say something," he added, to further laughter.

The former president was one of five speakers at Thursday's funeral for John Dingell, who died last week at the age of 92 after serving in Congress for just more than 59 years.

Other speakers at the service in Washington included former Speaker John Boehner John Andrew BoehnerLongtime House parliamentarian to step down Five things we learned from this year's primaries Bad blood between Pelosi, Meadows complicates coronavirus talks MORE (R-Ohio), Rep. Fred Upton Frederick (Fred) Stephen UptonOn Paycheck Protection Program, streamlined forgiveness is key Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Progressives soaring after big primary night MORE (R-Mich.), Rep. John Lewis John LewisDemocrats urge Biden to resist filibuster, court-packing calls Rep. Bill Pascrell named chair of House oversight panel The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden goes on offense MORE (D-Ga.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Steny Hamilton HoyerOn The Money: Powell, Mnuchin stress limits of emergency loans | House seeks to salvage vote on spending bill | Economists tell lawmakers: Kill the virus to heal the economy House moves toward spending vote after bipartisan talks House Democrats mull delay on spending bill vote MORE (D-Md.).

Debbie Dingell's office released a statement last week calling the congressman a "loving son, father, husband, grandfather, and friend" following his death.

"He will be remembered for his decades of public service to the people of Southeast Michigan, his razor sharp wit, and a lifetime of dedication to improving the lives of all who walk this earth," the statement read.