Thurmond endorses Graham.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

WASHINGTON _ A frail U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond did something Thursday that once seemed unimaginable: He endorsed as his successor a man who wasn't even born when Thurmond took office.

In a sometimes faltering voice, the nearly 99-year-old Republican gave the nod to U.S. Rep. Lindsey Graham, 46, as his replacement. For some, it was just hard to believe that the oldest and longest-serving senator in history, elected in 1954, was actually ready to leave office.

"It never occurred to me that he would retire," said former Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, who is also a former senator from Kansas. He called Thurmond "a unique figure in American politics."

Thurmond's term expires in January 2003 _ when he will be 100 _ and he is not seeking re-election. Graham, who was elected to Congress in 1994, is running against Democrat Alex Sanders, a former College of Charleston president, for the seat.

Thursday's event was held to honor Thurmond and to raise money for Graham, who expects to get $150,000 from the $1,000-a-head luncheon. An array of Thurmond's past and current staffers and fellow politicians _ including Dole, Republican U.S. Sens. Trent Lott of Mississippi, Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Jesse Helms of North Carolina _ greeted Thurmond.

Close friend and soul singer James Brown lent the event some spice with his silver-tipped cowboy boots as he led the crowd in singing "God Bless America."

The senator, once known for his robust nature and physical prowess, walked slowly into the Ronald Reagan Republican Center, with a staff member assisting him on each side. Thurmond has a hip ailment that makes it difficult to walk.