[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 184 (Saturday, November 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S17460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HAPPY BIRTHDAY SENATOR ROBERT BYRD

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, if the Republican leadership is 
successful in negotiating an agreement with the President on a 
continuing resolution, it appears that the Senate may not be in session 
on Monday, November 20.
  For that reason, today I would like to take a moment and wish the 
distinguished senior Senator from West Virginia, Senator Robert Byrd, 
an advance Happy Birthday. On Monday, Senator Byrd will celebrate his 
78th birthday.
  Mr. President, the public often views the Senate engaging in bitter 
partisan debate. Yes, we Republicans have our differences with the 
Democrats. But when the debates are over, and the votes have been cast, 
the public would be surprised to learn that we put aside our party 
labels and share friendships.
  And so, the Republican Senator would like to reflect on the brilliant 
career of Senator Byrd. He has spent more than half of his life serving 
the people of West Virginia in the Congress. Six years in the House and 
37 years in the Senate.
  This year, he cast a record 14,000th vote; and just 3 weeks ago, on 
October 27, when the Senate set a 1-day record of 39 votes, it was 
Senator Byrd who offered the 35th amendment that broke the record.
  But it is not just longevity that will provide Senator Byrd 
historical statute in the Senate. It is his record of service. He has 
served as majority whip as well as majority and minority leader. And he 
has served as President pro tempore and chairman of the Appropriations 
Committee.
  What is even more remarkable is the Senator's in-depth scholarly 
knowledge of history. Our distinguished Republican leader, Senator 
Dole, has often commented that students ought to receive college 
history credit simply by listening to the speeches of Senator Byrd.
  Over a period of several years, Senator Byrd stood on the floor of 
the Senate and provided an oral history of this institution. These 
speeches ultimately were printed in two bound volumes and provide the 
best overview and understanding of the evolution of this 206 year old 
institution.
  In 1993, Senator Byrd went to the floor on 14 separate occasions to 
speak on the history of the Roman Senate. These discourses were not 
designed solely for history students. Instead, they were intended to 
provide all of us with a perspective on the roots of American 
government and the extraordinary importance of maintaining unfettered 
congressional control over the power of the purpose.
  On one occasion, Senator Byrd spoke for 6 hours on the floor and 
provided the Senate a broad overview of the evolution of parliamentary 
government in England and how evolution influenced our Founding Fathers 
in shaping this Government.
  Mr. President, I could go on and on about Senator Byrd's history 
lessons. But what I want to do is suggest that when future historians 
are writing about the 20th century Senate, Senator Robert Byrd will 
surely be remembered as one of the giants who followed in the footsteps 
of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.
  In particular, I believe Senator Byrd should be commended for his 
passionate defense of the rights of the minority in this body and to 
unlimited debate. Many Americans are often frustrated with the slowness 
of the pace of the Senate. But Senator Byrd rightly notes that in 
permitting unlimited debate, the Senate stands as a bulwark against 
tyranny and the passion of the moment.
  We all owe a debt of gratitude to Senator Byrd for his wisdom. I wish 
him a very happy birthday this coming Monday and my sincere regards to 
his lovely wife Erma.

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