Thurmond Surgery A Success

A spokesman says 96-year-old Senator Strom Thurmond underwent successful prostate surgery on Wednesday.

Spokesman John DeCrosta says Thurmond was alert and joking with doctors and nurses after the 25-minute procedure at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

Doctors found no evidence of prostate cancer or other serious illnesses.

Thurmond was hospitalized Sunday night after complaining of tiredness. He decided to have surgery on his enlarged prostate several months ahead of time because it's been bothering him. The surgery had been set for November.

A spokesman said the senator wanted to get the procedure out of the way "and get some relief."

Last week, Thurmond was hospitalized in his home state after collapsing at a reception at the University of South Carolina.

Thurmond was first elected to the Senate in 1954. He's the longest-serving senator in American history.