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Lawmakers, Family Celebrate Byrd’s Service

Nearly a month of celebration continued on Wednesday for Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), when a room filled with Democrats and West Virginians feted the lawmaker with desserts and several toasts for becoming the longest-serving Member of Congress.

Byrd hit the milestone on Nov. 18 — his 20,774th day of service in Congress — and he was lauded on the Senate floor with speeches and applause. Byrd marked his 92nd birthday two days later on Nov. 20. This week, Byrd enjoyed a festive reception in the Senate’s historic Lyndon Baines Johnson Room located just outside the chamber where Byrd has served for nine terms.

In attendance Wednesday were Byrd family members, a handful of Democratic Senators and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Reps. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.), the dean of the House and its longest serving Member.

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