Cannon is the second longest-serving Republican Representative surpassed only by Alaska congressman Don Young, as well as the first member of Congress, of either party, ever to surpass 40 years of service (non-consecutive). His congressional career spanned 46 years of cumulative service, a concurrent 50 years, bar two terms after which he came back — a record not broken until 1959. He is the longest-serving member ever of the House of Representatives in Illinois, although the longest continuous service belongs to Adolph J. Sabath. He served in the House under 11 presidents, a record he shares with John Dingell and Jamie Whitten.