[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S6021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to our dear 
departed friend and colleague, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia. I 
have been deeply moved by the words of remembrance we have heard here 
in the Senate this week and I am honored to have been here today as 
Senator Byrd has lied in repose on the Senate floor. It is a fitting 
tribute to the man who, over the course of an astounding tenure of 52 
years, came to embody the Senate, its traditions, and its rules.
  Robert Byrd was born in North Wilkesboro, NC, in 1917. He was 
valedictorian of Mark Twain High School and, through the course of his 
life, attended four separate colleges in West Virginia as well as the 
American University College of Law. In the early days of his career, he 
was, at one time or another, a grocery clerk, a butcher, and a shipyard 
welder before beginning his political career in 1946, when he was 
elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates. After 5 years in the 
West Virginia Legislature, he was elected to the House of 
Representatives in 1952, beginning what would be the longest tenure in 
the history of the U.S. Congress.
  Senator Byrd came to the Senate in 1959. He served right up until his 
death on June 28 of this year. During his time on the Senate, he was 
known for his skills as a parliamentarian and his knowledge of Senate 
rules and procedure. He put these abilities to great use, serving in 
the Democratic leadership--as either the whip or the leader--for nearly 
two decades. Senator Byrd's ability to use the parliamentary rules to 
his advantage is legendary. Indeed, I can think of few others who had 
such a great understanding of what can be an arduous and difficult set 
of rules and procedures.
  His knowledge of the traditions and history of the Senate were also 
quite noteworthy. In 1989, the bicentennial anniversary of our 
cherished Constitution, Senator Byrd published a four-volume series on 
Senate history, which is a definitive work in describing and outlining 
the storied traditions of this great Chamber. Senator Byrd's love of 
this body was known to all. He expressed his love for the Senate at 
every opportunity and much of his time was spent trying to preserve 
those rules and traditions he held dear.
  Mr. President, this Chamber has suffered a great loss. But, my 
sadness is tempered by the thought that Senator Byrd is now reunited 
with his wife Erma, to whom he was married for nearly 70 years. I want 
to express my sincerest condolences to Senator Byrd's family.
  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I want to speak on the loss of the 
great statesman, orator, and author, Senator Robert Byrd. Senator Byrd 
served the State of West Virginia and this great Nation in the Senate 
for over 50 years. It has been an honor to serve and craft legislation 
with Senator Byrd to protect and promote the values of our two States, 
which share a common border and economy. He represented his State well.
  Following my election to the Senate, Senator Byrd offered me valuable 
advice and direction on the operations and rules of the U.S. Senate. 
Upon learning of his passing, my wife Mary and I were deeply saddened 
by the news.
  Starting from humble beginnings, Senator Byrd was a great example of 
the virtue of hard work and determination. After losing his mother 
during the influenza epidemic of 1918, Senator Byrd was sent to live 
with his aunt and uncle in the coal-mining region of southern West 
Virginia. With a combination of his strong work ethic and quest for 
knowledge, Senator Byrd graduated as valedictorian of his high school 
class. Despite his stellar academic achievements, Senator Byrd was 
unable to attend college following his high school commencement due to 
financial constraints.
  At the age of 19, Senator Byrd married his high school sweetheart and 
lifetime soulmate Erma Ora James. In an effort to support his growing 
family, Senator Byrd took jobs, which included working as a gas station 
attendant and butcher, to put his family first.
  After serving in the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate, 
Senator Byrd was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and 
began serving in 1953. Unable to stop his quest for knowledge, Senator 
Byrd began attending night classes at the American University's 
Washington College of Law where he received his degree a decade later.
  Senator Byrd's love for this country and the Senate itself could be 
seen in many ways such as the copy of the U.S. Constitution tucked away 
in his jacket pocket and his vast knowledge of the rules of the Senate. 
As he said to many of us, ``he who knows the rules will rule.''
  He believed, as I do, in the power of the Senate. He understood that 
the Senate should not be beholden to the executive branch, but must 
remain separate and equal to provide the necessary checks. As he 
stated, ``We must never, ever, tear down the only wall--the necessary 
fence--this Nation has against the excesses of the Executive Branch and 
the resultant haste and tyranny of the majority.''
  Even in his frustration of the current political climate and through 
his remaining days, Senator Byrd continued to fight for the protection 
of the rules of the Senate and the rights of the minority, because as 
he wrote, ``I know what it is to be Majority Leader, and wake up on a 
Wednesday morning in November, and find yourself a Minority Leader.''
  I extend my thoughts and prayers to his surviving children, 
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. During this time of difficulty, 
there is strength in knowing Senator Byrd has once again been reunited 
with his sweetheart and the son he missed dearly.

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