[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 101 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEATH 
   OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT C. BYRD, A SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF WEST 
                                VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 2010

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas.  Mr. Speaker, it is with the 
utmost respect and admiration for the late Senator Robert Carlyle Byrd 
that I recognize his passing. Senator Byrd was known as a man of the 
people. He dedicated his life's work to the American citizens and his 
beloved constituency in the Mountain State of West Virginia.
  Born November 20, 1917 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the young 
Byrd moved with family to West Virginia where he grew up and would 
later meet his soon to be wife, Erma Ora James. Their marriage spanned 
more than six decades until her death in 2006. Initially, he was unable 
to afford college, but eventually attended Beckley College, Concord 
College, Morris Harvey College, and Marshall College, all in West 
Virginia. Senator Byrd's public service career began after he won a 
seat in the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946. Six years later, 
he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. It was 
during this time he began night classes at American University's 
Washington College of Law in 1953. With a tenacious spirit and made up 
mind, he would earn his law degree some ten years later in 1963.
  Along the course of his professional and academic career, Byrd was 
elected to the United States Senate and would serve 51 years making him 
the longest serving senator in history. His time in office was well-
spent and fruitful where he would serve in a myriad of leadership 
roles. Most notably: President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate; 
Democratic Caucus Senate Majority leader; Senate Minority leader; and 
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
  Senator Byrd, like many of us, lived a full life filled with high 
peaks and valleys low. I too, had some reservations about meeting this 
one-time member of the Klu Klux Klan who for 14 hours filibustered the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964. But, when our paths crossed, I soon learned 
of the great character of man he truly was. He believed whole-heartedly 
in the United States Constitution and a clear demonstration was the 
pocket version he always carried in his coat pocket. Another love he 
had was for taking afternoon walks on the West Front side of the 
Capitol. It was during that time of day where I knew I could find him 
whenever I needed to seek the voice of wisdom.
  Mr. Speaker, I will miss those afternoon strolls with the Historian 
of the Senate. Senator Byrd loved the American people, loved his state 
and loved our great nation. Although he no longer is with us on the 
terrestrial, his legacy will live deeply within the halls of Congress 
and in the hearts of humanity.

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