Bill Clinton jokes no one would skip Dingell’s funeral: ‘Only time’ we could get the last word

Former President Clinton joked Thursday that nobody wanted to miss the funeral for Rep. John Dingell (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.

{mosads}The remark was met with heavy laughter and applause from the audience, including Clinton’s wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who sat next to Rep. Debbie Dingell (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 (R-Ohio), Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (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.