Longest-serving senator collapses

WASHINGTON - Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, the nation's longest-serving senator, collapsed yesterday in the Senate after complaining of feeling weak. But a few minutes later the 98-year-old Republican was standing and talking.

The senior senator was described as waving as he was being taken away by wheelchair, Senate officials said. He was later taken to Walter Reed Army Medical Center by ambulance.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m. EDT, Thurmond slumped over at his desk, then was helped to a lying position on the floor by several people. Senate GOP Leader Trent Lott told reporters Thurmond was able to stand before he was taken to the ambulance, an oxygen mask on his face.

Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., was in the chamber when the senior senator tried to stand with the help of an aide and collapsed back into his chair, nearly unconscious, said Allard spokesman Sean Conway.

Allard and staffers then helped lay Thurmond on the floor. Thurmond reported feeling weak, said Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb.

Thurmond was in the chamber as the Senate was debating a defense bill when the incident occurred. When he collapsed, most Republicans were in a closed-door senators' meeting a few paces down the hall from the Senate chamber.