Posted by Sen. Reid's Staff  on 3/4/2011 - 5:01 PM

Today marks the 106th anniversary of the retirement of former Nevada Senator William Morris Stewart, who was the second longest serving member of Congress from Nevada until Senator Harry Reid surpassed his record last month.  As of February 2, 2011, Nevada Senator Harry Reid is the second-longest serving member of Congress from the Silver State. 
 
“It’s an honor to serve the people of Nevada every day,” Reid said. “I look forward each day to working as hard as Nevadans always have.  I’ll keep tackling the many challenges we face, and I won’t be satisfied until every Nevadan who wants a job has one and our state is thriving once again.”
 
Reid surpassed Stewart’s mark of 10,257 days of service last month and as of today has served 10,287 days combined in the United States Senate and in the United States House of Representatives, according to the Senate Historical Office. Reid was first elected to Congress in 1982 and officially passed Stewart on February 2, 2011. 
 
Stewart helped develop Nevada’s Constitution as the Silver State was joining the union in 1864. He served two separate stints, first from December 15, 1864 to March 3, 1875 and then from March 4, 1887 to March 3, 1905.  In the Senate, Stewart is credited with writing the United States Constitution’s 15th amendment, which gives all citizens the right to vote, regardless “of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”  Today, Reid carries in his pocket a copy of that Constitution everywhere he goes.
 
Reid will become the longest-serving member of Congress from Nevada in January 2013 when he will surpass former Nevada Senator John P. Jones, who served for 10,956 days. Furthermore, Reid will become the longest-serving Senator from Nevada on January 1, 2017, just days before the end of his fifth term. 

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