January 3rd, 1953.

Harry Truman was President of the United States.

Barack Obama?

He wasn't even born yet.

Most likely, your parents weren't born yet, either.

And your grandparents were probably right around your age right now.

While you think about that, consider this: On January 3, 1953, Robert C. Byrd was sworn in as a Congressman from West Virginia.

On Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 -- 56 years and 320 days later -- Byrd became the longest-serving member of Congress -- ever.

The record was previously held by Democrat Carl Hayden of Arizona.

Hayden served in Congress from 1912 to 1969.

Byrd will celebrate his 92nd birthday on Friday.

But on Wednesday, in a statement, he told the folks back home in West Virginia, "I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days!"

After six years in the House of Representatives, Byrd was elected to the US Senate in 1958.

He has now served in the Senate for nearly 51 yeas - another all-time record.

And he's now serving his 9th six-year term in the Senate - another all-time record.

On Wednesday, politicians from both political parties honored Byrd on the Senate floor.

In his tribute, West Virginia's other US Senator, Democrat Jay Rockefeller, referred to Byrd's hard life as a child - a "foster son of an impoverished coal miner," as Byrd himself put it.

"The people of my state love and respect Senator Byrd in part because so many share his powerful story," Rockefeller said. "So many have battled against the odds and continue to fight every day to make a better life for themselves and their community. Even in his hardest, youngest days, Senator Byrd never grew discouraged."

"In a long life, he has known his share of hardships and triumphs," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, from the neighboring state of Kentucky. "But he has run the race as if to win. He's still at it. And we're grateful for his astonishing record of service to the people of West Virginia, to the United States Senate and to the nation he loves."

President Obama also honored Byrd, even though the President was in China on Wednesday, thousands of miles from Washington, DC.

"Senator Byrd has always represented the people of West Virginia with pride and passion, fighting to put working families first and make life better for the people of his beloved state," Mr. Obama said in a statement. "His knowledge and experience in the Senate are unparalleled. And he commands the respect of all those who have had the honor of serving with him. Countless colleagues - myself included - have looked to him for advice, guidance and leadership over the years."

Ironically, in his early years in the House and Senate, Byrd supported racial segregation.

He even opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - the law outlawed racial discrimination.

And as a young man, Byrd belonged to the white supremacist group known as the Ku Klux Klan - a group that often used violence to keep African-Americans from having equal rights.

But as the times changed, so did Byrd's racial views.

He now says he regrets joining the Klan.

He also says he regrets filibustering against the Civil Rights Act.

(A "filibuster" is when a senator or group of senators talks non-stop on the Senate floor, to try to keep a bill from coming up for a vote.)

And on Wednesday, Byrd said he regretted that his wife, Erma, was not on hand to see him set the service record. Mrs. Byrd died in 2006.

"But I know," he said, as he wept, "that she's smiling down from Heaven - and reminding me not to get a big head."

On Wednesday, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin announced that from now on, November 18th would be Robert C. Byrd Day in that state.

"What a remarkable national milestone we are celebrating today," said Governor Manchin, according to West Virginia MetroNews.

"I am willing to risk predicting that many of the records set by Senator Robert Byrd will never be passed," said US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday.

He may be right.

After all, 56 years and 320 days is a long, long time.

And every day he continues to serve, Senator Robert Byrd adds to his record.