Who Is the Oldest Member of the House of Representatives
In that location is ofttimes some confusion over the deviation between a congressman and a senator. Although the lexicon says that a congressman is anyone who serves in Congress, which includes both the Business firm and the Senate, when people are talking about a congressman they're typically referring to a member of the Firm. This is the definition we take called to utilise and every congressman and congresswoman on this list is a House Representative.
Like the Presidency, there is an historic period requirement to become a member of the U.Due south. Business firm of Representatives – a person needs to be at least 25 years erstwhile. Due to this, nigh people do not run for a seat in the House until they have established another career and proceeds political feel. In more recent years, the average age of House member is nearly 57 years one-time. All of the congressmen on this were over lxxx years sometime while they served and the oldest was over 90!
Every bit of February 2021, this list is as accurate equally possible and volition exist updated equally needed.
x. Don Immature (June 9, 1933 – Present)
Oldest Age While Serving:currently 87 years, 7 months, 25 days
Political Party: Republican
State: Alaska
Tenure: March 6, 1973 – Present (47 years, 10 months, 28 days and counting)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Don Immature is the simply Congressman on this list who is currently nonetheless serving. Non only is Young the oldest member of the House of Representatives, he is also the the Republican Party's longest-serving member of the U.Due south. House of Representatives in history. Young has represented Alaska for 24 sequent terms.
Although Immature was born in California, he moved to Alaska in 1959 non long later information technology became a land. Since then, Young has served in diverse political offices in Alaska, first equally Mayor of Fort Yukon in 1964. Young was so elected to Alaska's Firm of Representatives in 1967.
Did You Know?
Don Young is the oldest and longest currently serving member of either chamber of Congress.
9. Sam Johnson (October 11, 1930 – May 27, 2020)
Oldest Historic period While Serving: 88 years, two months, 23 days
Political Party: Republican
State: Texas
Tenure: May eight, 1991 – January 3, 2022 (27 years, seven months, 25 days)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Sam Johnson was previously the second oldest sitting member of the U.S. Firm of Representatives, merely he recently retired in Jan of 2019. Prior to becoming a member of the Business firm in 1991, Johnson had a long military career, serving for 29 years. He is a retired Air Forcefulness Colonel and was a decorated fighter pilot in the Korean State of war and the Vietnam State of war.
Johnson was elected to the Business firm in 1991 during a special ballot and he since become known as an ardent conservative. After being sworn in for his 14th term, Johnson appear that he would not run for reelection in the 2022 midterm elections.
Did You Know?
During his time in the military, Sam Johnson earned two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cantankerous, 1 Bronze Star with Valor, 2 Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three outstanding unit awards.
8. John Dingell (July viii, 1926 – February 7, 2019)
Oldest Age While Serving: 88 years, half-dozen months
Political Party: Democratic
Land: Michigan
Tenure: December xiii, 1955 – January 3, 2022 (59 years, 21 days)
photo source: Wikimedia Eatables
John Dingell currently holds the tape for the longest Congressional (both the Firm and the Senate) tenure in American history. He served for over 59 years and retired when he was 88 years quondam. Dingell was as well the longest-serving Dean of the U.Southward. Business firm of Representatives (from Jan iii, 1995 – January 3, 2015). He was elected to the Firm in 1955, succeeding his father John Dingell Sr., who held the seat for 22 years.
Forth with Ralph Hall, who is also on this list and retired in 2015, Dingell was one of the last Globe War 2 veterans serving in Congress. When Dingell decided to retire, his married woman Debbie Dingell announced that she planned to run for his seat. She won the ballot and is currently representing Michigan'due south 12th district.
Did You lot Know?
John Dingell Jr. was showtime elected to the House on December 13, 1955 when he won the special ballot to supplant his father, John Dingell Sr., who passed abroad while he was yet in office.
seven. Louise Slaughter (August xiv, 1929 – March sixteen, 2018)
Oldest Historic period While Serving: 88 years, 7 months, 2 days
Party: Autonomous
State: New York
Tenure: January 3, 1987 – March 16, 2022 (31 years, ii months, xiii days)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Prior to her death on March 16, 2018, Louise Slaughter was the oldest sitting member of the U.S. Firm of Representatives – she is also the only congresswoman on this list. Earlier the offset of her political career, Slaughter earned her degrees in microbiology and public health and went to work for Procter & Risk doing market research.
At this time, Slaughter was involved in customs groups like Scouting in New York and the League of Women Voters. She became concerned with local political and community issues and decided to run for the New York State Assembly in 1982. Slaughter narrowly won in the 1986 midterm election and was elected to the House. She was Chairwoman of the House Rules Commission from 2007 – 2011 and has served as ranking minority fellow member of the Committee since 2011.
Did You Know?
Louise Slaughter was the get-go and just woman to chair the House Rules Commission.
6. Claude Pepper (September viii, 1900 – May thirty, 1989)
Oldest Age While Serving: 88 years, eight months, 22 days
Political Party: Democratic
State: Florida
Tenure: Jan 3, 1963 – May 30, 1989 (26 years, 4 months, 27 days)
photograph source: Wikimedia Commons painting by Marshall Bouldin III
Claude Pepper was nearly 89 years erstwhile when he died while nonetheless serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Pepper was a congressman for over 26 years and represented the state of Florida as a member of the Democratic Party. During his tenure as a member of the Business firm, Pepper served equally the chairman of the Select Commission on Crime and was also a member of the Select Committee on Aging and the Committee on Rules.
Before his death, Pepper was the oldest serving member of Congress at the time. Pepper was known for being liberal and championed the rights of the elderly. Pepper was as well a Senator during World War Ii and frequently supported President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal and wartime policies.
Did Yous Know?
Claude Pepper was sometimes called "Red Pepper" considering of his brilliant red hair, fiery way of speaking, sharp wit, and flair for the dramatic.
five. John Conyers (May 16, 1929 – Oct 27, 2019)
Oldest Age While Serving: 88 years, 7 months
Political Party: Democratic
State: Michigan
Tenure: January 3, 1965 – December 5, 2022 (52 years, 11 months, two days)
photograph source: Wikimedia Eatables
John Conyers was non merely one of the oldest congressman in the U.Southward. House of Representatives, but he was as well the tertiary longest-serving Firm member always. He was in the Firm for near 52 years and retired at the age of 88. Before he started his political career, Conyers served in the Korean War and afterwards became active in the ceremonious rights movement. Equally a fellow member of the House, Conyers co-founded the Congressional Blackness Caucus in 1969 and eventually became 1 of the most liberal members of Congress.
Although Conyers strived to practice proficient while in office, he was at the middle of several controversies, including forcing his aides to babysit and chauffeur his children also every bit several sexual harassment allegation, which concluded his career. His mounting sexual activity scandals led Conyers to resign from Congress on December v, 2017.
Did You Know?
John Conyers was the commencement African American ever appointed to the Firm Judiciary Committee.
4. Robert L. Doughton (Nov seven, 1863 – October 1, 1954)
Oldest Age While Serving: 89 years, 2 months
Political Party: Autonomous
State: Northward Carolina
Tenure: March 4, 1911 – Jan 3, 1953 (41 years, 9 months, 30 days)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Robert L. Doughton was another fellow member of the U.S. House of Representatives to serve at 89 years former. He was the twentyth longest-serving fellow member of the Business firm and the longest-serving member always from North Carolina. In improver to being a politico, Doughton was a prosperous broker and farmer, which earned him the nickname Farmer Bob. He owned over 5,000 acres of land and raised prized Hereford and Holstein cows. Doughton was too the owner and president of Deposit Savings and Loan Bank in North Carolina.
For 18 years Doughton served as the Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Means and Means. In this role, he oversaw the passage of the Social Security Human activity in 1935. He was also responsible for the creation of Blue Ridge Parkway, America's near-traveled scenic highway. Doughton is probably best known for introducing the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937.
Did You lot Know?
Robert Doughton was known for opposing high taxes and in 1932, he led a congressional rebellion confronting a proposed national sales tax and won.
three. Sidney R. Yates (August 27, 1909 – Oct 5, 2000)
Oldest Age While Serving: 89 years, v months
Party: Autonomous
State: Illinois
Tenure: January iii, 1949 – January 3, 1969; January 3, 1965 – January iii, 1999 (full of 48 years)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Sidney R. Yates was just a few months shy of existence the second oldest congressman. He is the longest-serving fellow member of the U.Due south. House of Representatives from the country of Illinois and the seventh longest-serving in the House overall. Before he became a politician, Yates played semiprofessional basketball and proficient police force. He was also a World War II veteran. Yates' career in the Firm was briefly interrupted after he did not succeed in his run for the Senate in 1962. He went to piece of work for the United nations for a year before returning to the House afterwards the 1964 election.
Throughout his career, Yates served on the Appropriations Committee, where he supported ecology programs and the National Endowment for the Arts. He too worked difficult to preserve federal funding for Natural Heritage Preservation programs, and to establish the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Did Y'all Know?
Sidney R. Yates was was presented with a Presidential Citizens Medal for his efforts in promoting the arts and humanities in 1993.
2. Charles Manly Stedman (January 29, 1841 – September 23, 1930)
Oldest Historic period While Serving: 89 years, 7 months
Party: Autonomous
State: Due north Carolina
Tenure: March 4, 1911 – September 23, 1930 (xix years, 6 months, 19 days)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Prior to 2012, Charles Manly Stedman held the record for being the oldest member ever of the U.S. Business firm of Representatives. Stedman get-go got into politics as a delegate to the 1880 Democratic National Convention. Earlier this, he fought in the Civil War and later became a lawyer and set up his exercise in Wilmington, North Carolina.
From 1885 – 1889, Stedman served as the fifth Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. He unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of North Carolina in 1888. Stedman was kickoff elected to the House in 1910 and served until his death in 1930 at the age of 89. He was the last veteran of the Civil War, from either side, to serve in Congress.
Did You Know?
During the Civil War, Charles Manly Stedman served as a private in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Visitor, Beginning Due north Carolina Regiment.
1. Ralph Hall (May 3, 1923 – March 7, 2019)
Oldest Age While Serving: 91 years, 8 months
Political Party: Autonomous (1950 – 2004); Republican (since 2004)
State: Texas
Tenure: January three, 1981 – Jan iii, 2022 (34 years)
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Ralph Hall is the oldest congressman to ever serve in the U.Due south. House of Representatives at the age of 91. In addition to being the oldest serving member of Congress, Hall was the oldest person ever elected to a House term, the oldest Firm member to cast a vote, and one of the concluding two World War Ii veterans serving in Congress.
For much of his political career, Hall described himself as "an erstwhile-time conservative Democrat" – in fact, he was one of the near conservative Democrats to ever serve in the Business firm. For years, rumors persisted that Hall would switch parties considering he frequently voted with Republicans. He eventually changed over to the Republican Party in 2004. Hall'south final bid for a seat in the Business firm took place in 2014; he lost in the Republican primary and finally retired.
Source: https://www.oldest.org/politics/us-congressmen/
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