On the Senate floor Wednesday morning, colleagues praised his accomplishments.

"I'd like to join my colleagues, my fellow Americans, the people of West Virginia, and the Byrd family in celebrating this historic occasion. Senator Byrd, congratulations," said Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader.

"By virtue of his endurance, Robert Byrd has known and worked with many of the greats of the United States Senate. Because of his enduring virtues, his long since established himself among the greats," said Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Majority Leader. "There will never be another senator like Senator Byrd and today's milestone is another record that will never be broken."

Byrd's longtime colleague, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., gave a six-minute speech about Byrd's love and commitment to the state of West Virginia.

"It has always rung true whether it is his 50th birthday or in fact his 92nd birthday, whether he was a freshman in the House or the Senate's longest serving member," he said.

Byrd's career includes three terms in the House and nine terms in the Senate and he's not done yet.

"I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days," Byrd said today in a statement.

Byrd beat the record of former Senator Carl Hayden, D-Ariz., who served from 1912 until 1969.

Byrd will turn 92 on Friday.

"We are grateful for his strength and his rock-solid principle which has come to define West Virginia as surely as our endless hills and beautiful streams," said Rockefeller.