Wildlife refuge visitor center to bear former Rep. John Dingell's name

GROSSE ILE (AP) - A new visitor center at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is being named in honor of former U.S. Rep. John Dingell.

The announcement was made Saturday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during a ceremony at the under-construction center.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge includes nearly 6,000 acres along 48 miles of the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. Its office is in Grosse Ile.

Dingell, a Democrat, served 59 years in Congress. His wife, Debbie, was elected to his Detroit-area seat in 2014 after he didn't seek re-election.

John Dingell said in a statement that "soon people throughout the state will be able to come to a state-of-the-art visitor center to learn more about the natural beauty that surrounds them here in Southeast Michigan."

Published: Wed, Jan 18, 2017