Rep. Dingell Will Soon Be the Longest Serving Member of Congress

The Michigan Democrat will serve his 20,996th day in Congress on Friday

He came to Capitol Hill before the advent of velcro, NASA and remote control TV; he had a hand in some of the most significant legislative achievements of the last century, including the creation of Medicare; and this week, Rep. John Dingell Jr. will become the longest-serving member in the history of Congress.

The Michigan Democrat on Friday will notch his 20,996th day on Capitol Hill, surpassing the late-Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) as the most durable lawmaker in the country's history.