Rep. John Dingell became longest-serving member of Congress on Friday . Dingell 's record eclipses that of former Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia . Contrast that with the 60 days that Dean Barkley served to finish Paul Wellstone 's term . Comment:
Rep. John Dingell became longest-serving member of Congress on Friday . Dingell 's record eclipses that of former Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia . Contrast that with the 60 days that Dean Barkley served to finish Paul Wellstone 's term . Dingell and his father , John Dingell Sr. , served a total of 80 years in Congress .