Byrd Celebrates 92nd Birthday After Setting Record
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) celebrated his 92nd birthday Friday, two days after setting the record as the longest-serving Member of Congress.The President Pro Tem remains a few years shy of carrying the title of his chamber’s oldest Member to serve. That distinction is still held by the late Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), who turned 100 while he was in office. Thurmond, who retired in 2003 and passed away soon after, remains the chamber’s second-longest-serving Member behind Byrd.Byrd, who has been in poor health for much of the year, took to the floor Wednesday to deliver an emotional speech on his 20,774th day of service in Congress, breaking the longevity record previously held by Sen. Carl Hayden (D-Ariz.), who served in the House and Senate from 1912 to 1969.“Today, Madam President, is more than a commemoration of the length of service of one U.S. Senator,— Byrd said. “Today also celebrates the great people of the great and mighty state of West Virginia, who have honored me by repeatedly placing their faith in me.—