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Young feted as longest-serving Republican in House history

U.S. Rep. Don Young was feted for becoming the longest-serving Republican in House history.

Rep. Don Young greets supporters at the Dena'ina Center on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News / TNS)
Rep. Don Young greets supporters at the Dena'ina Center on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska. (Marc Lester / Anchorage Daily News / TNS)Read moreMarc Lester / MCT
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Rep. Don Young was feted by colleagues for becoming the longest-serving Republican in House history.

Young, who was reelected in November, marked 46 years in the House on Wednesday. He surpasses the late former Speaker Joseph Cannon of Illinois to become the longest-serving Republican.

According to House records, the late Rep. John Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, is the longest-ever serving member of the House. Dingell served 59 years.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked Young for being "a leader of merit and character." The 86-year-old Young thanked his colleagues for recognizing his tenure.

The U.S. Senate notes the late Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina served nearly 47½ years. That tenure, however, includes a number of years in which Thurmond served as a Democrat before switching parties.