In this 1962 photograph, former Representative Jamie Whitten of Mississippi, who would hold the record for longest serving Member, listens to a committee staffer before a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture hearing.

Mr. Whitten began his service on 4 November 1941 after winning a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Representative Wall Doxey (D-MS) who served from1929 to September 1941 to fill a vacant Senate seat. His first committee assignment was to the House Appropriations Committee on 22 January 1943 where he served throughout his legislative career. Whitten’s service ended at the conclusion of the 103rd Congress on 3 January 1995, with his decision to retire. From 4 November 1941 to 3 January 1995, Congressman Jamie Whitten served a total of 19,419 days in the House. This month, a record for longest serving Member in the History of the House will be broken. On 11 February 2009, Representative John Dingell Jr. of Michigan will have served 19,420 days in the House to become the longest serving Member in House History.