Already famous as a highly decorated military pilot and astronaut when he arrived in the Senate in 1974, John Glenn sought to become a leader in government. Glenn represented Ohio for 25 years, until his retirement in 1999. As chairman of the Committee on Governmental Affairs he worked to make government more efficient. As a member of the Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees he put his energies into the pursuit of a strong foreign policy. In 1976, he travelled to China with Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield, a trip recalled in an interview with former Secretary of the Senate Frank Valeo.  Glenn’s heart, however, remained with science, and he became known as a tireless advocate for science and health research. In 1998, while still a senator, Glenn returned to space at the age of 77 to study the effects of space on the aging.

A new online exhibit celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Russell Senate Office building.

Forty years ago this month—on July 20, 1969—two United States astronauts became the first humans to walk on the moon. Upon their return to earth, the Apollo 11 crew addressed a joint meeting of Congress. "It was here in these Halls that our joint venture really began," Neil Armstrong told senators and representatives, honoring the important role of the Senate in the development of America’s space program.