Washington - Senator Strom Thurmond, the oldest and longest-serving US congressman, marked his 95th birthday yesterday by giving up the Armed Services panel chairmanship but vowing to hold his seat into the next millenium.
"It is hard to believe I will turn 95," he said in a statement yesterday as he headed home to South Carolina. The Republican legislator said he intends to serve until his term runs out in 2003, when he will be 101. Senator Thurmond has served on the Armed Services Committee for nearly 40 years.