[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 74 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5687-S5688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today marks an extraordinary--
extraordinary--milestone in the history of the Senate and in the life 
of one of our most distinguished colleagues.
  Today, Robert C. Byrd, the senior Senator from West Virginia, becomes 
the longest serving Senator in the history of the United States.
  Today, he will have served 17,327 days in office, and outlasted 1,885 
Senators who have graced this Chamber since 1789. He has cast more 
votes than any other Senator. And this year, Senator Byrd is running 
for an unprecedented ninth term.
  Our distinguished colleague has amassed an astonishing record of 
service, and it is my privilege and honor to pay tribute to the Dean of 
the Senate--one of the greatest orators in the grand tradition of this 
august institution.
  Senator Byrd won his first election to the Senate back in 1958. 
Lyndon Johnson was the majority leader. Dwight Eisenhower was 
President. And the Soviets had won the space race with the launch of 
Sputnik.
  Senator Byrd joined the Appropriations Committee and quickly got to 
work learning the ins and outs of parliamentary procedure.
  Senator Byrd has been called a walking encyclopedia of Congress. 
Indeed, in his career he has authored a four-volume history of the U.S. 
Senate.
  In 1971, Senator Byrd was chosen Senate Democratic whip. In 1977, he 
was elected Democratic leader, a position held for six consecutive 
terms.
  He led the Senate as majority leader for 6 years, and served as 
minority leader for another 6.
  Senator Byrd has twice been elected President pro tempore.
  All told, Robert C. Byrd has held more leadership positions in the 
Senate than any other Senator in history.
  But even having attained this extraordinary influence, Senator Byrd 
has never forgotten where he came from or who sent him here.
  From early on in his career, he demonstrated his deep commitment to 
the people of West Virginia. His loyalty, closeness, and respect have 
been rewarded. Senator Byrd has won overwhelming majorities in each of 
his reelection campaigns, winning with 78 percent in 2000.

[[Page S5688]]

  He is known across his State for his unflagging support for his 
constituents and the future and welfare of those people of West 
Virginia. In 2001, he was named by his State ``West Virginian of the 
20th Century.''
  Today marks a great achievement for the senior Senator, but in some 
ways it is also bittersweet.
  Today, Erma Byrd, the Senator's wife of nearly 7 decades, would have 
turned 89 years old. The Senator has said that his love for Erma was 
greater than anything in his life. Without her, he could not have 
reached such great heights, nor could he have endured the inevitable 
rough patches of political life.
  On the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary, the Senator paid 
an eloquent tribute to his high school sweetheart. His words:

       Erma and I are complete and whole, a total that is more 
     than the sum of its parts. In my life, Erma Byrd is the 
     diamond. She is the priceless treasure, a multifaceted woman 
     of great insight and wisdom, of quiet humor and common sense.

  Senator Byrd has said that, for him, today's achievement will pass 
with little fanfare or pride. Today, he will do what he has always done 
on June 12. He will honor his dear wife Erma, remember her and pray for 
her.
  So we will celebrate on his behalf and pay honor to them both--
Senator Byrd for his lifelong service to his country, and Erma for her 
quiet and steady support for the country gentleman from West Virginia.
  When history is written, I am certain that Senator Byrd will hold a 
prominent place as a Senate legend--and in no small part because of the 
love of a kind and gentle lady, Erma Ora Byrd.

                          ____________________