Did You Know? Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts has held a seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee longer than any other senator in history - 45 years and 11 months. Senator Henry Fountain Ashurst of Arizona served on the Committee for 37 years and 10 months; Senator Thomas Sterling of South Dakota for 35 years and two months; Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina for 34 years and 11 months; and Senator James Oliver Eastland of Mississippi for 34 years and 10 months.