Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), the longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate, made one final visit to the chamber where he spent 51 years on Thursday.
Byrd, who died Monday at age 92, will lie in repose for six hours, allowing members of Congress and the public to pay their respects.
His love of the Senate was behind the decision to honor him on the Senate floor, rather than in the Capitol Rotunda where other prominent politicians are memorialized.
At the time of his death, Byrd was president pro tempore of the Senate, third in line to the presidency behind the vice president and House Speaker.
Byrd became known for enforcing the rules and traditions of the legislative body as well as for his staunch commitment to lifting his state out of poverty by channeling billions in federal money to West Virginia.
Byrd’s casket was placed on the Lincoln Catafalque, a platform that was first used to hold the coffin of Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Charleston, W.Va. for a memorial service at the state capitol Friday honoring Byrd.
From there, his body will return to Arlington, Va. for a funeral and burial Tuesday at Columbia Gardens Cemetary where his wife, Erma, is buried.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin will not begin the search for Byrd’s replacement until after next week’s funeral service.