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Senator Robert Byrd becomes Longest-Serving Congress Member

by Jordan Yerman | November 18, 2009 at 07:42 am

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Senator Robert Byrd has become the longest-serving member of Congress in US history. The Democrat from West Virginia has served for 56 years and 320 days, today surpassing the record set by Carl Hayden, D-AZ. Robert Byrd was on the wrong side of history more than once, opposing the 1964 Civil Rights Act and joining the Ku Klux Klan, actions for which he has since voiced regret. Robert Byrd would go on to endorse Barack Obama for the US Presidency. Currently, Robert Byrd is President pro tempore of the Senate, which puts him third in line to the White House, behind Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Robert Byrd turns 92 on Friday, November 20.

"I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days," Byrd said in a statement marking the occasion. His only regret, Byrd said, was that his late wife, Erma, was not there with him.

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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 07:57 on November 18th, 2009

Congratulations to Senator Byrd.

Having said that, with all the trouble we have in Canada's Senate at least we send them into retirement at age 75.

YankeeJim

at 08:08 on November 18th, 2009

Not to dampen the celebration, but is this a good thing? West Virginia has been in a state of perpetual welfare for as long as Byrd has served the state and nation, though it bosts a bounty of natural resources and beauty. It should be a self-sustaining enterprising and prosperous place by now. It is not.

Byrds constant bring-home-the-bacon style of plus up politics is a dead end.