Robert Byrd

Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20, 1917) is a West Virginia Democrat serving in the United States Senate. As of 2005, he is the longest-serving current member of the U.S. Congress, having served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1953, until he entered the Senate on January 3, 1959; current Dean of the House John Dingell has served only since December 1955. If Byrd serves until June 2006, he will surpass Strom Thurmond as the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate. At 87, Byrd is the oldest member of Congress. Some like to call Byrd a "walking encyclopedia" on the history of both the American and Roman senates.

Political timeline

• West Virginia House of Delegates (1947-1950)
• West Virginia Senate (1951-1952)
• U.S. Representative from West Virginia's sixth district (1953-1959)
• Eight-term U.S. senator from West Virginia (1959-present)
• Democratic whip (1971-1977)
• Majority leader (1977-1980 and 1987-1988)
• Minority leader (1981-1986)
• President pro tempore (1989-1995; January 3, 2001-January 20, 2001; and June 6, 2001-2003)