[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD

  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I come to the floor this morning to pay 
my respects to a most amazing man who the Senate Chamber has lost, 
Senator Robert C. Byrd. It certainly is a sad day for the Senate, for 
all the people of West Virginia who loved this man so much, and for the 
entire country, as we mourn the loss of the Nation's longest serving 
Senator.
  Robert C. Byrd was a historian, a poet, and he truly was a master of 
the Senate. We have heard a lot about this remarkable man. A lot of it 
bears repeating today. He was the longest serving Member in the history 
of this institution. He had courage. He had humility. He had 
intelligence. He had a vision that helped lead the Senate for many 
years. But he also showed us that one can change over time and admit 
their wrongs and move on and fight for what they believe is right.
  His principled stands are what I will remember most about him. I was 
so proud, back in 2002, to stand with him and a total of 23 Senators 
who voted against the Iraq war. I will not forget how strong he was, 
reminding us that as a country we do not have to act out of fear. I was 
proud to stand with him many times since then, when he would knowingly 
wink at me and remind us of the 23 who stood tall in the Chamber that 
day.
  His floor speeches were legendary. I remember so many times 
throughout my tenure with him as he railed on the floor about whatever 
passion he had at the moment, whether it was his little dog he would 
tell us a story about or some part of history he wanted to remind us 
of, always with a point at the end. I remember his compassion as he 
spoke, and his flailing arms. He always reminded us that we are human 
beings here. He had a true way with words, and he literally wrote the 
book on the Senate. Most importantly, he protected this institution 
from every attack.
  To his very last days here he was weighing in on proposed changes to 
the filibuster rule, a rule he played a central part in reforming three 
decades ago.
  But the true honor of serving with Senator Byrd came from his 
personal touch. I personally so remember my very first meeting many 
years ago with Senator Byrd. I came here as a brandnew Senator in 1993. 
I wanted to serve on the Appropriations Committee, the committee he 
chaired. It is a very powerful committee. It was a big ask for a 
freshman Senator coming in. I was told that in order to get that seat, 
I would have to call him up and ask for a personal meeting. That was 
pretty intimidating, coming here brandnew and asking for a meeting with 
the chair of the entire Appropriations Committee.
  He granted the meeting. I remember walking over to the Capitol to his 
office and not knowing what to expect. I couldn't have known what to 
expect because, when I walked in, I found this warm, wonderful, cordial 
human being. He regaled me with stories from his youth and talked about 
being a coal miner's son and the poverty he grew up in. He showed me 
his fiddle he was so proud of but that he played no more. He told me 
poetry he recited from memory. I remember sitting in his office and 
thinking: I can't believe I am sitting here with a part of history. 
Then, of course, he grilled me on my stance on the balanced budget 
amendment and the line item veto before he said: Yes, I would like you 
to serve on my committee.
  I have been so proud to serve on that committee with him ever since. 
He taught me so much about protocol, about managing legislation, about 
the rules of the Senate, about respect. Yes, respect was what I think I 
learned from him most. He was a taskmaster. He believed passionately in 
the rules of the Senate, but he also believed in working together for 
the common good.
  In the first year I was here, Senator Hatfield, Republican from 
Oregon, and Senator Byrd were the chair and ranking member on the 
Appropriations Committee. Senator Byrd called and asked me to come to 
lunch in his office with a small group of Senators, with Senator 
Hatfield and myself and several Democrats and Republicans. I was so 
honored to be asked, and I came over not knowing what to expect. 
Senator Byrd and Senator Hatfield, a Republican and Democrat, a chair 
and a ranking member of the most powerful committee, the Appropriations 
Committee, sat and talked to us about what they felt was being lost 
from the Senate and that, as new Members, it was our responsibility to 
return the Senate to. That was respect and listening to each other. 
They told us in words about how ``one year I might be chair,'' said 
Senator Byrd, ``but I know full well an election will change things and 
Senator Hatfield will become chair. So we better work together, and we 
better respect each other, as we put our bills together. Because you 
never know when you are going to be in the minority or the majority.''
  Their words were powerful. But even more powerful was sitting there 
listening to these two gentlemen, a Republican and Democrat, listen to 
each other, laugh together, have lunch together, and pass on a lesson 
to those following us about what we all need to be when we call 
ourselves United States Senators.
  Senator Byrd earned many titles over the years: majority whip, 
majority leader, chairman of the Appropriations Committee. But I know 
the title he cherished the most was husband. His love of his family 
trumped everything else.
  I so remember one time my husband, who lives out in the State of 
Washington--as my colleagues know, I travel home every weekend to be 
with my family--one weekend my husband came out here to be with me. 
Why? Because it was our anniversary. I was going to be here voting so 
he traveled here from Washington State and came into the Capitol. As he 
was coming in, I met him. Senator Byrd happened to be leaving the 
Senate Chamber. He saw my husband and he welcomed him and said: What 
are you doing out here in the other Washington? My husband said: It is 
our anniversary. Senator Byrd said: Well, which anniversary is it?
  Rob said to him: It is our thirty-second. Senator Byrd paused and 
nodded, and he said: That is a good start.
  He had been married for 67 years. He was going home to be with his 
wife. That is a moment I will cherish, because it sets in perspective 
all that I know about Senator Byrd. He taught by example. He taught by 
words. He knew humor and how to use it. But most of all, he had respect 
for every one of us here.
  He was a gentleman. He certainly was tough. But he treated everyone 
with dignity and respect. Everyone here on this floor has been molded 
by his presence. We have learned so much from him, and he will be 
missed.
  But I know for certain his work and his passion and his spirit will 
never be gone from this Senate he loved so much, and I know as I walk 
on this Senate floor, I will try and remember, as he taught me so well, 
respect of others above all.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Illinois.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, how much time is remaining in morning 
business on our side?
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. There is 9\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. DURBIN. Thank you very much.
  Madam President, yesterday I joined Senator Murray and others in 
giving my tribute to Senator Byrd, and I will not repeat my remarks. 
But I look forward to other Members coming to the floor with their own 
memories and reminiscences of this great man who served this Nation and 
the State of West Virginia so honorably for so long and the fact that I 
was honored to serve with him for 14 years in the Senate.

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