[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SENATOR AND ERMA BYRD's 68TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, on another issue, an issue that was 
discussed by several of my colleagues, most notably Senator Stevens, 
our distinguished colleague from Alaska, the President pro tempore, I 
rise to honor now a very special day in the life of one of our most 
respected and venerable colleagues.
  On Sunday, the distinguished senior Senator, Robert Byrd, celebrates 
his 68th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife and high school 
sweetheart Erma Ora James.
  The courtship is well known to our colleagues. It is hard to do it 
full justice, but I will give it a try. The two met in Raleigh County 
over 7 decades ago, where Erma's father had been transferred from 
Virginia to work in the coal mines. Senator Byrd had a friend who 
brought pocketfuls of gum and candy to school, and each day the young 
Robert Byrd would wait at the schoolhouse door and ask his friend for a 
few pieces of candy. He put them in his pocket and at the first 
opportunity he would present the candies to Erma as a love offering.
  Senator Byrd has said he wasn't really sure if his Erma knew that she 
was his sweetheart, but she must have found out because the couple 
ultimately was married in 1937. The day after their wedding, Senator 
Byrd gave his new bride his wallet which contained several hundred 
dollars that, over the days and weeks and months, he had saved. He told 
her that she would be the head of their family finances forever. To 
this day, Senator Byrd doesn't carry a wallet.
  He has said that Erma has been his anchor all these years. They are 
truly blessed to have one another, their family, and a lifetime of 
shared memories.
  The Bible says:

       A man will leave his father and mother, and be united to 
     his wife, and they will become one flesh.

  For nearly 7 decades, Senator Byrd and his lovely wife Erma have 
lived up to the ideal of marriage. I commend them. I admire them. And I 
wish them both a very happy 68th anniversary.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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