[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 35 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2399-S2400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO ERMA BYRD

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, having arrived late Saturday night from 
Hawaii where we attended the memorial services for Senator Inouye's 
late wife Maggie, my wife Catherine and I were deeply saddened the next 
morning to learn that Erma Ora James Byrd had passed away Saturday 
night. I come to offer our sincere condolences to our good friend 
Senator Byrd and his family.
  As the leader has said, Senator Byrd and Erma were married at the age 
of 19. In their nearly 69 years of marriage, Erma was a pillar of 
strength to our friend. She stood by him as he finished high school and 
college and attended American University Law School. She was at his 
side every moment and milestone in his 60 years of public service. As 
he has often told us, it was Erma who made sure he was polished and 
well pressed before he left for the Capitol every morning. She took 
great pride in the work he did for their State and for our Nation.
  Erma has been part of our Senate family since the Senator was elected 
to this body in 1958. Those of us who have served with the Senator have 
come to know her and love her, and we will deeply miss her.
  She was a true southern lady in every sense--intelligent, graceful, 
and known for her southern hospitality. As Senator Byrd has often 
mentioned, she never sought the limelight, choosing instead to keep her 
focus on their family and their home.
  Catherine and I were privileged to travel with Erma and Senator Byrd 
over the years, and my family has always enjoyed being with them. We 
have looked forward to celebrating Erma's birthday each year. Her 
annual birthday lunch on Capitol Hill has always included lots of 
beautiful flowers which Erma loved.
  We have also been the recipient of Senator Byrd's good wishes for our 
family, particularly our children over the years. I remember distinctly 
the comment that Senator Byrd made on the floor when our first 
grandchild was born, and he has been very kind to our last child, Lily, 
who has grown up and known Senator Byrd as one of her ``uncles,'' so to 
speak. Catherine remembers the many hours Erma spent sewing and 
knitting on Tuesday mornings for the Senate wives' Red Cross projects. 
We will not forget how gracious and generous she was when she hosted 
Members of the Senate and the British Parliament in their home State of 
West Virginia some years ago. It was a lovely evening up on the 
mountaintop. Those memories will stay with us forever.
  Erma was not only a great partner to Senator Byrd in life, she was a 
wonderful mother to their two daughters. Senator Frist has spoken 
extensively on them. But anyone who wants to understand the depth of 
the Senator's love for Erma should read the speeches he has come to the 
floor to deliver each Mother's Day.
  In his Mother's Day address in 1997, he said this:

       I could not have put in the countless hours required by my 
     office without [Erma's] extreme patience and forbearance, 
     understanding and good humor and support. Erma is the epitome 
     of traditional family values, and my pride in the 
     accomplishments of my daughters and their children is a clear 
     reflection of the values and lessons they learned from their 
     mother and their grandmother.

  Mr. President, West Virginia has lost a beloved daughter, and the 
Senate has lost a dear friend. I think she may have been the longest 
serving wife of a Senator. Catherine and I extend our deepest 
sympathies to Senator Byrd, his family, and all who knew and loved 
Erma. We are deeply saddened by this news.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic minority whip.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the life and 
mourn the loss of a remarkable woman. Erma Byrd, the wife of Senator 
Robert C. Byrd, passed away over the weekend after battling a long 
illness. Her death brings sadness to the entire Senate family. On 
behalf of the Senate I wish to extend our condolences to Senator Byrd 
and their two daughters, five grandchildren, and six great-
grandchildren.
  This remarkable couple had been married for 69 years, and anyone who 
spent time with Senator Byrd knows how much they loved one another. It 
is clear they took their vows very seriously, to stand by one another 
in sickness and health. It is a tribute to our colleague and to his 
late wife that their devotion and love sustained them together for so 
many years.
  As Senator Byrd has said on the floor of the Senate so many times, 
Erma Byrd has always been his touchstone. He said:

       Her faith in me has never wavered and she took to mothering 
     me as effortlessly as she took to mothering our daughters. In 
     Erma Ora James Byrd runs the blood of a great line of 
     mothers, fierce in their devotion to their families, vigilant 
     in their care, loving in their manner.

  In a time of increasing callousness and cynicism, the story of Robert 
and Erma Byrd can only be described as a true lifelong love story. Erma 
and Robert Byrd were married when they were both 19 years old. They met 
when they were students in grade school in Raleigh County, WV.
  One of my favorite stories that Senator Byrd tells is about his 
courtship of Erma. It turns out he decided that the best way to Erma's 
heart was with another man's candy. His family wasn't prosperous, but 
the young Robert C. Byrd had a friend whose father owned a candy store, 
and each day that young man would pass out a few pieces of candy to his 
friends--such as Robert Byrd. As tempting as I am sure it was, Robert 
C. Byrd never ate his candy. Instead, he would present it to his 
girlfriend Erma.
  It worked. Those of us who know the two of them know that little 
exchange of friendship would lead to a lifetime of commitment. I am 
sure Robert C. Byrd had many fine qualities and Erma noticed those, but 
she also apparently noticed the candy.
  A true coal miner's daughter, Erma Byrd met Presidents and Senators, 
kings and queens, and the greatest among celebrities, yet. She never 
sought the limelight. She never lost her sturdy and sensible ways. She 
never forgot the values that sustained her in West Virginia and 
throughout all her life.
  All of us in political life know that we make increasing demands on 
our

[[Page S2400]]

spouses. We know they have to make great sacrifices because of our 
choice of public service. We all join in expressing our sadness at the 
loss of Erma Byrd, and we stand by our colleague Senator Byrd and his 
family to help them remember, at this time of loss, those good memories 
of times together. We know those memories will sustain their family.
  Erma Byrd was the guiding star in her husband's firmament--the light 
that sustained him, healed him, and comforted him. I know her 
remarkable spirit will continue to guide him not only through this day 
of mourning but throughout the rest of his life.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from New Hampshire is recognized.
  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, are we in morning business?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. We are in morning business.
  Mr. GREGG. I ask unanimous consent to proceed for 15 minutes in 
morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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