New Jersey mourns former Governor Dick Codey.

Residents from across the state were invited to pay their respects in Trenton, where Codey lay in state today, returning to the building where he spent half a century as a lawmaker.

Codey, a Democrat and the longest-serving legislator in state history, died January 11th at his home in Roseland following a brief illness.

He was 79.

A long line of visitors, including former governors Corzine, McGreevy, and Tom Kane, filed past Codey's flag-draped casket in the Statehouse Rotunda.

Codey served continuously from 1974 until his retirement last year.

He rose to be Senate president before serving as New Jersey's 53rd governor, taking office in 2004 after Governor Jim McGreevy's resignation.

Flags will fly at half-staff through Saturday when Codey is laid to rest.