[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 44 (Thursday, April 1, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S3597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATING SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, earlier in the day, a number of my 
colleagues took the floor to pay tribute and respect to my dear friend 
and colleague, Senator Byrd. I was unable to be here because I was 
involved in a markup of legislation. I want to take a few moments now, 
as we bring the day's business to a close, to pay tribute to my very 
good friend on the occasion of his 17,000th vote in the Senate, an all-
time record.
  The distinguished Senator from West Virginia has given this Nation 
and his beloved State of West Virginia the very best in public service. 
The civility, the intelligence, the commitment, and dedication that 
Senator Byrd brings to this body commands the respect and admiration of 
every Member of the Senate. That has been expressed from time to time 
by many of us in this Chamber.
  The vote today is but one of many milestones for Senator Byrd, but it 
does offer all of us the opportunity to reflect upon his very special 
place in the Senate.
  Senator Byrd often refers to the Senate as a ``pillar of the 
Constitution.'' I think it is fair to refer to Senator Byrd as a 
``pillar of the Senate.'' The Senator's dedication to this body and its 
history--he has written, after all, the definitive history of the U.S. 
Senate--its customs and its procedures are unequaled by any other 
Member I have known. And his dedication to the Senate ranks with his 
dedication to the country, to the State of West Virginia, and to the 
Constitution.
  As this body's indisputable expert on parliamentary procedure, it is 
only fitting that Senator Byrd's first vote, the first of the 17,000 
votes that we celebrate today, was cast on January 8, 1959, and was 
procedural in nature. That vote began, of course, a legacy of 
extraordinary leadership and service in this body.
  The able Senator from West Virginia has not only employed his mastery 
of how the Senate functions effectively in floor debates, but he has 
used it to pass on and protect and perfect the spirit of this body 
which he has called ``the cornerstone of our constitutional system.''
  Given this incredible record of service and experience, Senator Byrd 
now, I think fairly, stands as both the intellect and the conscience of 
this Chamber. He constantly reminds us of the fundamentals of our 
democracy and the role the Framers of our Constitution envisioned for 
the legislative branch.
  No Member of the U.S. Congress has a deeper understanding of the 
Constitution and of the Legislature's vital function as a guardian of 
our fundamental national document.
  It is because of this institutional knowledge, his devotion to the 
Senate's distinguishing characteristics, and his devotion to the 
civility that has customarily underpinned the interaction of the 
Members of this body that in times of severe national crisis, and on 
occasion constitutional crisis when the Senate is faced with the most 
difficult of choices, Members from both sides of the aisle have sought 
the leadership of Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia.
  I consider it a singular honor to serve with him in the Senate. I 
congratulate him on casting his 17,000th vote, and I look forward to 
seeing him cast many more.
  I yield the floor.

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