Former Sen. Jesse Helms dies at 86

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86.

PlusFormer Sen. Jesse Helms Dies at Age 86Former Sen. Jesse Helms Dies at Age 86The Associated PressFormer Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse...

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. (July 4)

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. (July 4)

July 4: Jesse Helms, the blunt-talking North Carolina Republican served thirty years in Congress before retiring in 2003. NBC’s Martin Savidge reports.

Former Sen. Jesse Helms dies at 86

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. (July 4)

July 4: Former Republican Senator Jesse Helms has died. He was 86. NBC's Martin Savidge reports.

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. (July 4)

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who served 30 years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July, the Jesse Helms research center says. He was 86. (July 4)