[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11834]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          REMEMBERING SENATOR
                             ROBERT C. BYRD

  Mr. TESTER. Madam President, I have a short speech to give today 
about a giant of a man. I rise today out of deep respect for our 
colleague, Senator Robert C. Byrd. Sharla and I extend our condolences 
to the Byrd family and to all the people of West Virginia. We join you 
in mourning but also in a celebration of his life and his successes as 
a public servant.
  Senator Byrd liked to call me ``the Mountain Man,'' and when somebody 
from the Mountain State calls you that, it is an incredible compliment.
  Senator Byrd and I had a few things in common: We were both from very 
small towns, we both married our high school sweethearts, and we both 
made a living at one time as meat cutters. He must have had an eye for 
the butchering business because he liked to guess my weight. And 
wouldn't you know, he always came within 3 pounds. You could say 
Senator Byrd convinced me to spend a little more time in the gym.
  Senator Byrd was elected to Congress 4 years before I was even born, 
and he always shared his wisdom with those of us who admired it. I am 
honored to call Senator Byrd a respected teacher and a trusted friend.
  I was Presiding Officer on the day the farm bill came before the 
Senate. Instead of signing the farm bill himself, Senator Byrd let me 
sign the bill. Although it went unspoken, I know it was because he saw 
me as the farmer in the Senate. It was truly an honor for me to be able 
to do that.
  Another thing Senator Byrd and I had in common was our upbringing in 
rural America. He was always proud to fight for folks making a living 
off the land and in the mountains and in the woods. He was a powerful 
advocate, and he represented West Virginia with tireless passion. He 
valued hard work and common sense. Those values are a matter of 
survival in America. They are values you take with you as you go to 
Congress, and Senator Byrd showed us that.
  Madam President, we will miss Senator Byrd very much. His work over 
the decades on the Hill has made the entire country a better place for 
us and for our kids and grandkids.
  Before I came to Capitol Hill 3\1/2\ years ago, many folks came up to 
me and said: You are going to have an experience of a lifetime. You 
will meet some incredible people.
  And I will tell you that one of the most incredible men I have met 
since I have been here was Senator Byrd.
  We miss you.
  I yield the floor.

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