Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., will become the longest-serving congressional member in history Nov. 18.

He is already the longest-serving member of the Senate and has cast more roll call votes than any other member of that body.

On Nov. 18, he will surpass Sen. Carl Hayden, D-Ariz., who served in the House of Representatives from 1912 to 1927, and then in the Senate from 1927 to 1969 for a total of 57 years. He died in 1972.

Byrd served in the U.S. House from 1953 to 1959 and in the U.S. Senate beginning in 1959.

To commemorate this occasion, Gov. Joe Manchin, state lawmakers and fellow West Virginians are planning to pay tribute to Byrd during a celebration in the state capitol rotunda. Manchin said the event would give West Virginians a chance to applaud the senator's efforts on behalf of the Mountain State.

"Senator Byrd sets the gold standard for what it means to be an outstanding public official," Manchin said.

The celebration is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Nov. 18 with speakers, including the governor. That event will be followed by the unveiling of an exhibit highlighting Byrd's accomplishments. It features photos from throughout his career, his beloved fiddle and other personal memorabilia.

The ceremony and exhibit are free and open to the public.