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 | | Tuesday, 2 October, 2001, 15:35 GMT 16:35 UK Oldest US senator collapses  Thurmond was first elected to the Senate in 1954 The United States' longest-serving senator, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, has collapsed on the Senate floor. But a few minutes later he was reported to be standing and talking. The Senate recessed immediately after Mr Thurmond collapsed. When it resumed business 15 minutes later he was not in the chamber. Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said later that Mr Thurmond was "standing and talking and seemed OK". It was not immediately clear why he collapsed.
Among those near Mr Thurmond at the time was Senator Bill Frist, a Republican who is also a physician. Mr Thurmond, 98, is a Republican and has served longer in the United States Senate, and at a more advanced age, than any other American. During his many years in the Senate, he has served as chairman of the Judiciary and Armed Services Committee. He switched from the Democratic Party to the Republicans in 1964 and aided Barry Goldwater in his unsuccessful bid for the presidency against Lyndon Johnson. Mr Thurmond was instrumental in the "Southern strategy" that won the White House for Richard Nixon in 1968. | | Top Americas stories now:  Links to more Americas stories are at the foot of the page. | |
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