[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 84 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5987-S5988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ROBERT BYRD

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, during 1987 and 1988, I delivered a series 
of nearly 300 brief speeches on the Senate floor to commemorate the 
long history of this great institution.
  Each of these so-called Senate bicentennial minutes focused on a 
significant person, custom, or event associated with the Senate's 
development during its first two centuries.
  The inspiration for this project came from my fellow floor leader 
during that 100th Congress, Senator Robert C. Byrd. Beginning in 1980, 
Senator Byrd launched an unprecedented series of hour-long addresses to 
the Senate detailing this body's rich history. The 100-part series was 
completed in November 1989.
  In recognition of this extraordinary achievement, Congress agreed to 
publish these addresses in four richly illustrated volumes that today 
are universally known as ``Byrd's Senate History.''
  Senator Byrd has not only written about the Senate's history, he has 
also made it. He has set so many major records that he can justly be 
considered the Cal Ripken and the Michael Jordan of the Senate.

[[Page S5988]]

  He has held more Senate party leadership offices than any other 
Member of either party. He has cast more rollcall votes than any Member 
in history--A record that he continues to break every day the Senate is 
in session. He has not missed a vote in 12 years, giving him a Senate 
career voting average of 99 percent.
  Finally, Robert Byrd is 1 of only 3 Senators in history--that is 3 of 
1,827--to have been elected to 7 full 6-year terms.
  Not only has he broken all the records, he has also established an 
example for the rest of us and for the Nation of the best in Senatorial 
conduct.
  Robert Byrd's service to the Senate has been characterized by hard 
work, attention to detail, boundless energy, and intense loyalty.
  Mr. President, on October 21, 1988, I dedicated my final bicentennial 
minute to Senator Byrd and his remarkable contributions as a Senate 
leader.
  And now, on June 10, 1996, my next to last day here in the Senate, I 
want to repeat the words I said 8 years ago:

       The final chapter in Robert Byrd's history is not likely to 
     be written for some time, yet it is safe to say that he has 
     set a standard as a Senator, as a legislative leader, and as 
     a statesman that will stand among the best as long as there 
     is a Senate.

     

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