Remembering Former Sen. Arlen Specter's Long and Distinguished Career -- PICTURES

Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., during an interview in his office on Capitol Hill on Dec. 23, 2010, several weeks after losing his reelection bid. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In this August 2009 photo, Specter listens to an unidentified man voice his complaints during a town hall meeting in Lebanon, Pa., about the health care legislation then being considered by Congress. At right is a security guard. (AP Photo/Bradley C Bower)

Specter discusses his conversion to the Democratic Party at the White House with President Obama in 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Specter is interviewed during the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul on Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Specter and then-Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., a member of the House Appropriations Committee, speak to reporters upon their arrival at Damascus airport on Dec. 29, 2007, on a two-day visit for talks with Syrian officials on the Middle East peace process and other regional issues. (AP Photo Bassem Tellawi)

Specter gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill on July 26, 2007, to discuss Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and his role in the firing of U.S. prosecutors. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Then-Senate Judiciary Committee member Joe Biden huddles with committee Chairman Specter on Capitol Hill on Sept. 14, 2005, before the start of the committee's confirmation hearing for chief justice nominee John Roberts. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Specter reacts to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement announcementin 2005. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File)

Specter addresses supporters at his election-night headquarters in Philadelphia in 2004. About four months later, Specter announced he is had Hogdkin's disease, but that he planned to continue working while undergoing treatment. (AP Photo/H. Rumph, Jr., File)

Specter (left), Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street (center), and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell listen during a ceremony honoring Martin Luther King Jr. in Philadelphia on Jan. 19, 2004. (AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek)

Specter (left) confers with Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., at a news conference held by a bipartisan group of senators and congressmen expressing their displeasure with the Patriot Act Reauthorization Bill on Capitol Hill on Nov. 18, 2005. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Specter, with his wife, Joan, speaks to reporters on April 28, 2004, following his primary victory over conservative challenger Pat Toomey. (AP Photo/Jessica Griffin)

Sens. John Heinz (left) and Arlen Specter grapple for first batting privileges, just before their two offices started a softball competition in Washington in 1983. The two Pennsylvania Republicans captained their respective teams. (AP Photo/Al Stephenson)

Specter raises his hand and shouts to his supporters at his election headquarters in Philadelphia on Nov. 5, 1980. Specter won his election against Democrat Pete Flaherty for Senate. Specter's wife, Joan, and son, Shanin, shared the stage. (AP Photo/Murray)

Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan holds up the hand of Specter, who was running for Senate, in August 1980 at a fund-raiser for Specter in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Zeboski, File)

Specter with his wife, Joan, holds a news conference in the State Capitol rotunda in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 14, 1977. (AP Photo/Paul Vathis)

In 1967, Specter takes a bite of hot dog held by his wife, Joan, as he opened his campaign for mayor of Philadelphia by visiting a city landmark, a 72-year-old hot dog parlor in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Bill Ingraham)

Philadelphia district attorney Specter in 1965. (AP Photo)

In 2010, Specter talks with reporters about his time as a staff member on the 1964 Warren Commission and the bullet that struck President John F. Kennedy in the neck (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In 2004, Specter looks out toward the tarmac at the executive terminal of Philadelphia International Airport as he waits to board a plane while campaigning one day before Pennsylvania's Republican primary. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma, File)