[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6004-S6005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SENATOR AND MRS. BYRD'S 68TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, it is not often we get the time to just 
come to the floor to talk about friendships and about what it means to 
be friends in the Senate. I wish to take some time today to talk about 
my friend, the former majority leader, former chairman of the 
Appropriations Committee, and longtime friend, Senator Byrd.
  It just so happens that we have spent a lot of time together. I 
remember so well one great trip to London when we went there for the 
British-American Parliamentary Conference where we had a great deal of 
time to talk about the past and our own personal lives.
  But I have come to the floor today to ask the Senate to join me in 
offering congratulations to my good friend and colleague, Senator 
Robert Byrd, and his wife Erma, who, on Sunday, will celebrate 68 years 
of marriage. This is an anniversary few of us will ever see, and as far 
as I can tell--I have checked with the Historian--no Senator has ever 
had the opportunity to celebrate 68 years of marriage. As a matter of 
fact, my oldest son Walter and his wife Debbie will celebrate 23 years 
of marriage on the same day, this Sunday.
  Those of us in the Senate have relied greatly upon Senator Byrd's 
knowledge and love of history. With just a few short days remaining 
before their anniversary and because we will probably not be in session 
tomorrow, I think it is appropriate to return the favor and ask the 
Senate to reflect a moment on Robert and Erma's history together as 
husband and wife.
  Robert Byrd and Erma James grew up together on the schoolyard of Mark 
Twain High School in West Virginia. They were high school sweethearts, 
although Senator Byrd has said himself he is ``not sure if [Erma] knew 
she was my sweetheart.'' They were. And they were married on May 29, 
1937.
  Over the years, their family has grown, as Senator Byrd likes to say, 
``into a brood of fine people.'' Today, they are proud parents of two 
daughters and have known the joy of six grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren.
  For 68 years, Senator and Mrs. Byrd have shown us what it means to 
``love, comfort, honor, and keep for better or worse, richer or poorer, 
in sickness and in health.'' Their story has been called ``one of the 
great American romances.''
  Every year, in May, Senator Byrd comes to the floor to reflect on the 
meaning of Mother's Day and honor the Nation's mothers. His great 
speeches often mention Erma, the wonderful home she has made for him 
and their children, and the joy he takes in his family.
  Two years ago, when Erma was sick, Senator Byrd stood up during an 
appropriations debate and told us he was going home. And I quote what 
he said at that time:
  There are only two duties that will exceed my duties in the Senate, 
one is my duty to God and the second is to my family. I think my duty 
is to my wife.
  Now, these moments are a great reminder to those of us who are 
married. We have married in this life, and we must do our best to keep 
the promises we made long ago.
  I have had the honor to be married twice myself. One of the reasons I 
am here today is I remember the great comfort Senator Byrd gave to me 
when I lost my first wife. He has assisted me and my family in many 
ways. I also remember when he came to the floor and spoke of my first 
child in my second marriage and really extolled the concept of marriage 
at that time.
  After 68 years, Erma and Robert still have the deep and abiding 
friendship that began in Beckley, WV; the love of their children, 
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and the respect of all of us in 
the Senate. I know of no other Senator who has celebrated over 50 years 
of service in Congress, and as I said before, there is no other Senator 
who could say he celebrated 68 years of marriage. It is an overwhelming 
accomplishment and really a credit to both Robert and Erma.
  Earlier this month, in his annual Mother's Day address, Senator Byrd 
reflected on the early days of his marriage to Erma. He said:

       Nearly seven decades ago, we were the rankest of amateurs 
     at marriage and parenthood.

  This Sunday, our good friend and his wife will have proven they are 
now experts in both categories. My wife Catherine and I wish them the 
best.
  Senator Byrd has often marked significant events by submitting works 
of poetry for the Record. I wish I had his capability for remembering 
poems and works of great art. But today, I offer a poem by the great 
Alaskan poet, Robert Service, and I offer it in honor of Senator and 
Mrs. Byrd's 68 years together. Robert Service's poem is entitled ``Home 
and Love,'' and it goes like this:
     Just home and love! The words are small
     Four little letters unto each;
     And yet you will not find in all
     The wide and gracious range of speech
     Two more so tenderly complete:
     When angels talk in heaven above,
     I'm sure they have no words more sweet
     Than home and love.

     Just home and love! It's hard to guess
     Which of the two were best to gain;
     Home without love is bitterness:
     Love without home is often pain.
     No! Each alone will seldom do;
     Somehow they travel hand and glove:
     If you win one you must have two,
     Both home and love.

     And if you've both, well then I'm sure
     You ought to sing the whole day long:
     It doesn't matter if you're poor
     With these to make divine your song.
     And so I praisefully repeat,
     When angels talk in heaven above,
     There are no words more simply sweet
     Than home and love.

  I ask the Senate to remember to congratulate my good friend on 68 
years of marriage.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise toady to congratulate a member of our 
Senate family who is nearing an amazing milestone in life--68 years of 
marriage.
  On My 29, 1937, the Valedictorian of Mark Twain High School married 
his sweetheat--a coal miner's daughter--in West Virginia. That 
valedictorian was Senator Robert Byrd. The coal miner's daughter was 
Erma Ora James. On Sunday, they will mark 68 years together.
  It is an incredible achievement and a testament to their love and 
commitment.
  Look how far they've come. They have seen their lives move from the 
hills of West Virginia to the highest levels of government. Senator 
Byrd has gone from gas station attendant to

[[Page S6005]]

meat cutter to welder to United States Senator.
  But--it's important to note--Senator Byrd has never hidden the secret 
of his success. If you talk to him, he will give credit to whom credit 
is due.
  He said it right here on the Senate floor in May of 2000 days before 
his 63rd anniversary. He said: ``I have to frankly say that what little 
I have amounted, if it is anything much, I owe for the most part to 
[Erma].''
  Well Erma, the people of West Virginia and the United States owe you 
a debt of gratitude for all you've done for your husband and for giving 
us his time for so many years.
  I've said before, Senator Byrd is a mentor of mine.
  I have had the good fortunate of serving with him in the Senate since 
1986. In these 19 years, I've gotten to know Senator Byrd and Erma 
well. They are a wonderful couple, delightful individuals, and I am 
honored to call them both friends.
  Senator Byrd and Erma have no doubt seen many changes over their 68 
years of marriage--none bigger than the size of their family. They have 
two daughters--Mona and Marjorie--and over a dozen grandchildren and 
great grandchildren.
  Of course, no one can talk about Mr. and Mrs. Robert Byrd without 
recalling how they came to be together. He used sweets to get to her 
heart.
  In school, a young Robert Byrd used to take sweets from a fellow 
classmate but he wouldn't eat them. He would store them up and give 
them to Erma when he met her in the hall. Years later he would say: 
``That's the way you court a girl--with another boy's bubble gum.''
  I have said many times that the Members of this Chamber are a family. 
And what an amazing example of family we have in Senator Byrd and Erma.
  For 68 years of marriage, they have set a high standard for us all. 
It is a tribute to their love for each other, and for the rich, 
productive life they have enjoyed.
  I congratulate them once again and pray for many more years of 
happiness together.

                          ____________________