The Hill News

Several lawmakers took a trip to Twitter Monday to celebrate the 90th birthday of the first American to orbit the earth.

Former Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio), who manned the Mercury-Atlas 6 “Friendship 7” space on February 20, 1962 on the first trip around the earth to orbit the earth, received gracious birthday wishes via Twitter from members of Congress.

Ohio congressional representatives took a special interest in the Ohio-born Glenn’s birthday.

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/timryan/statuses/92985817521324034

Happy 90th birthday to a true American hero, Senator John Glenn. He continues to inspire us all.

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) added: http://twitter.com/#!/marciafudge/statuses/92946113761509376

Wishing John Glenn, a great American hero, a very happy 90th birthday http://t.co/4

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/SenSherrodBrown/status/9305! 1324039565312

Wishing a happy 90th birthday to my friend, former Ohio Sen. John Glenn http://1.usa.gov/pKpp28

In a statement released on Brown’s congressional website, Brown recalled memories of Glenn when Brown was 10, 16 and 54.

“I was ten years old when John Glenn observed three sunsets, three sunrises, and the wonder of the universe in just under 5 hours while orbiting the earth.” Brown said. “And when I was 54, John Glenn escorted me into the Senate Chamber to be sworn-in as U.S. Senator from our great state of Ohio.”

The former senator’s birthday coincides with the last week of operation for the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis, which will undock from the space station and head to Earth a final time this week.