ICYMI: McDonald Rivet Leads Moment of Silence for Former Michigan Senator Don Riegle
“For 28 years, under seven presidents, Don Riegle stood tall as a principled leader, always fighting to give families a fair shot.”
WASHINGTON— Last night, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and Members of Michigan’s congressional delegation paid tribute to the late former U.S. Senator Don Riegle.
A video of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s floor speech can be found HERE. A transcript of her remarks can be found below:
“I rise with my colleagues to honor a true champion for the city of Flint and the great State of Michigan: former Congressman and former Senator Don Riegle.
“For 28 years, under seven presidents, Don Riegle stood tall as a principled leader, always fighting to give families a fair shot.
“He led efforts to make it easier for working people to buy a home, bring more investments to the communities that needed them most, stand up for Gulf War veterans exposed to toxic chemicals, and rally against bad trade deals like NAFTA.
“He made Washington a better place, and he has always put our constituents first.
“There are many in this chamber today who were lucky enough to consider Don not just a colleague but a mentor and a friend. I got to know Don better in recent years, and I will never forget the lessons he shared with me about what it means to be a true servant leader for the communities we both love.
“Our hearts go out to Lori, his wife of 48 years, as well as his children, grandchildren, and all his family and friends.
“Our country joins you in mourning one of the greatest public servants Michigan has ever known: Don Riegle.”
Riegle served the Flint area in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1976 and served Michigan in the U.S. Senate from 1976 to 1995, where he became Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. He passed away peacefully in his home on April 24, 2026.