Democrat Robert Byrd of West Virginia was elected to the US Senate in 1959, just after Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union. He served for 51 years, longer than any other member. In failing health for the past few years, Byrd died last night at the age of 92. As a long-time chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he steered billions of dollars to the State of West Virginia. But four years ago he agreed with CNN that being the King of Pork was a badge of honor. Martin Kady is congressional bureau chief for Politico.com.
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