November 18th, 2009
07:15 AM ET
13 years ago

Byrd set to mark first 20,774 days in office

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[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/25/art.byrd.gi.jpg caption="Sen. Robert Byrd will become the longest-serving member of Congress Wednesday."]Washington (CNN) - Sen. Robert Byrd will become the longest-serving member of Congress Wednesday, having logged a staggering 20,774 days representing his home state of West Virginia in either the U.S. House or Senate.

Most of Byrd's tenure in federal office has been in the U.S. Senate, where he will have served 18,583 days, from January 3, 1959, through Wednesday. He became that body's longest-serving member in June 2006, surpassing the record previously held by the late Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina.

The West Virginia Democrat also served a total of 2,191 days, from January 3, 1953, to January 3, 1959, in the House of Representatives

The late Carl Hayden, D-Arizona, held the previous record for longest total congressional service. Hayden served in the House and the Senate for a total 20,773 days, from February 12, 1912, to January 3, 1969.
Filed under: Robert Byrd
soundoff (11 Responses)
  1. LacrosseDad

    What a nightmare it's been.

    November 17, 2009 05:01 pm at 5:01 pm |
  2. GI Joe

    Term limits anyone?

    November 17, 2009 05:05 pm at 5:05 pm |
  3. gt

    byrd ,, bowden and paterno ... all need to retire....the senate looks like a retiremnet home.... new blood both parties....

    November 17, 2009 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  4. If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves,and pray,and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7 S Callahan

    And who is saying we don't need TERM LIMITS!

    November 17, 2009 05:11 pm at 5:11 pm |
  5. snood

    This is why we need term limits.

    November 17, 2009 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  6. victim of republican greed

    I hope his next 20,774 are as productive.

    November 17, 2009 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |
  7. Allen in Hartwell GA

    West Virgina, please do Senator Byrd, the state of Virgina, and the country a favor and let Senator Byrd go home. I'm sure there is a highly qualified Democrat in the state who can take his seat. Maybe you can find one who doesn't aspire to spend three generations in Washington DC.

    November 17, 2009 05:32 pm at 5:32 pm |
  8. B

    SO WHAT !! This country is being bogged down by all of these OLD, ALL WHITE, has-been hacks that should have been LONG – GONE years ago!

    We will continue to be held back on any constructive legislation until we CLEAN HOUSE from all of them..

    TERM LIMITS

    November 17, 2009 05:35 pm at 5:35 pm |
  9. Robin

    All hail to the DEMOCRATIC Senator who led the charge AGAINST civil rights.

    That's right, not the Republicans. The Democrats. Look it up.

    November 17, 2009 05:36 pm at 5:36 pm |
  10. Ancient Texan

    He'll always be know for his ability to bring home the pork for his state and for his knowledge of the Constitution. He's very good at both. But Term limits are needed NOW.

    November 17, 2009 05:37 pm at 5:37 pm |
  11. Jason

    Yes there are term limits in place for every Senator, WE THE PEOPLE have the right to vote for who ever we want. If we the people want to send a man to Washington DC, that is our choice, if we want term limits, DO not vote for the Guy, for for someone new. Now as far as JOE PA, leave him out of this, if you can find a better coach who has spent more time with his kids, and does a better job turning therse boys into men, then come back to me with that. Until then keep your liberal views to yourself

    November 17, 2009 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |
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