Senator Byrd Celebrates 20,774 days in Congress

Today Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia becomes the longest serving member of Congress in our nation’s history. With his combined 6 years in the House of Representatives and his unprecedented 9 consecutive terms in the Senate, he now totals over 56 years of service.

When he first came to Washington as a young Congressman from his home state (Jan. 3, 1953), Harry Truman was president and most Americans still looked to newspapers and the radio for their daily news.

I had the great fortune and privilege of painting his portrait for the U.S. Senate. He is an amazing man of dignity and charm and one of the most powerful intellects I have ever had the chance to encounter.