Dingell's Milestone

Long service:

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) will become the longest-serving member in the history of the House next week, the House historian’s office announced Monday.

Dingell is set to earn the honor on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when he eclipses Rep. Jamie Whitten’s (D-Miss.) 19,419 days in office.

There had been conflicting reports about when, exactly, the record would fall, so House Historian Robert Remini sought to come up with a definitive answer.

Whitten served from 1941 until 1995, while Dingell assumed office in 1955. Both men won their seats in special elections.

“On Feb. 11, 2009, Congressman John Dingell will begin his 19,420th day in the House of Representatives, a period of service that is almost a quarter of the whole history of the federal Congress,” Remini said. “John Dingell’s exceptional service is a historic milestone that should be celebrated.”

Only two men have served in Congress (the House and Senate) longer than Dingell and Whitten — Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and former Sen. Carl Hayden (D-Ariz.).