[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 13030-13031]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the memory of one 
of the Senate's giants, Robert C. Byrd. My family and I were saddened 
to learn of his passing on Monday morning at the age of 92. I will 
remember Senator Byrd as a fierce defender of the Constitution, master 
of Senate procedure and a proud fighter for West Virginia and its rural 
heritage. Senator Byrd was more than just a colleague, he was a mentor. 
He taught me--and everyone who had the honor of serving with him--never 
to apologize for standing up for your State.
  During more than a half century of service in Congress, Senator Byrd 
gave a voice to those who would not have been heard otherwise. There 
are times when it is easy to get caught up in the petty bickering and 
partisan squabbles that seem to be increasingly plaguing this chamber. 
But, we would all do well to follow the example Senator Byrd set for 
all of us during his legendary Senate career and never lose sight of 
the fact that we are sent here to fight for those in our home States 
and across the country who cannot fight for themselves.
  Senator Byrd's work on behalf of his constituents is well known. West 
Virginians knew they could count on their senior Senator to come here 
to Washington and deliver for them. They were not alone. I will never 
forget how helpful Senator Byrd was to my State. Louisiana lost a true 
friend. Through storms and floods, Senator Byrd made sure that promises 
made to the gulf coast, particularly to Louisiana, were not broken. He 
kept an eye on the fair and just distribution of funds to Gulf Coast 
States, and I and everyone I represent will always be grateful for his 
dedication to our recovery.
  One critical example is his effort to provide funding for Louisiana's 
Road Home program. Road Home, which is the largest single housing 
recovery program in U.S. history, was designed to provide compensation 
to Louisiana homeowners whose houses were destroyed by Hurricane 
Katrina or Rita. In late 2007, as Louisiana faced a daunting program 
shortfall, it was Senator Byrd who stepped up to help me secure $3 
billion to keep this rebuilding program going.
  A year later, Senator Byrd once again stood up for the people of 
Louisiana, when he worked with me to include $8.7 billion for gulf 
coast hurricane recovery and protection in the emergency supplemental 
spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan. The funding provided for 
levees, criminal justice needs, health care and housing for low-income 
hurricane survivors.
  Senator Byrd once said, ``The people of Louisiana have the strength 
and the spirit to rebuild their homes and their communities. We owe 
them the support

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to get the job done.'' He did not just pay lipservice to the gulf 
coast. He delivered for us time and again, because he understood the 
importance of standing up for those who were hit so hard by the tragic 
storms that battered the Louisiana coast.
  Senator Byrd was not just a colleague who put his weight behind 
fighting for the gulf coast region. He was also a walking encyclopedia 
of Senate history, and he was always willing to impart his vast 
knowledge to anyone who wanted to learn about the legends that walked 
these halls for more than two centuries before us.
  When I was first sworn in as a U.S. Senator, back in 1997, my entire 
family came to Washington for the event. After it was over, I asked 
Senator Byrd if he would give my family--both adults and children--a 
history lesson on the Senate. He graciously obliged, and for 2 full 
hours spoke eloquently and expertly on the history of this great body. 
His lecture left a lasting impression on every single member of the 
Landrieu family, and it is a memory we will always cherish.
  Senator Byrd spoke with such passion about John C. Calhoun, Henry 
Clay, Daniel Webster, Rebecca Felton, Everett Dirksen and the many 
other historical figures who shaped the Senate. It is only appropriate 
that he will forever be mentioned in the same breath with these men and 
women he so truly admired. And, it makes me proud to have had the 
opportunity to serve with a man who left such an indelible mark on this 
Chamber.
  As we reflect on Senator Byrd's remarkable life and career, our 
prayers are with the Byrd family. But we all take comfort in knowing 
that while he leaves behind one of his great loves--the Senate--he is 
finally going home to be with his greatest love--Erma.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, Senator Pete Domenici from New Mexico 
served in this body for 36 years. During that time, he was the first 
Republican chairman of the Budget Committee and later chaired the 
Energy Committee where, more than almost anyone, he helped spur the 
revival of interest in nuclear energy. He was truly one of the most 
consequential senators of the last half century. As we mourn the loss 
of another very consequential Member of this Chamber, Senator Robert 
Byrd of West Virginia, I thought it was appropriate to share Senator 
Domenici's thoughts on the passing of Senator Byrd.
  I ask unanimous consent that Senator Domenici's statement be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

Statement of Senator Pete Domenici on the Passing of Senator Robert C. 
                                  Byrd

       I'm sorry I can't be at Senator Robert Byrd's memorial 
     service in person because I'm celebrating the first family 
     reunion with my eight children--and their children--from 
     across the country. My wife will join me at this event, and I 
     will be prevented from attending the ceremony for my great 
     friend, Robert Byrd.
       I worked with Senator Byrd for my entire 36 years in the 
     Senate. Above all else, I found him a man that one could 
     trust implicitly. He and I both served on the Senate 
     Appropriations Committee for many years, where he was a 
     strong advocate for his home state. He and I both supported 
     local projects for our states and believed that `earmarks' 
     were not only legitimate, but part of the Senator's duty to 
     his state.
       When history is finally written of the United States Senate 
     there is little doubt in my mind that he will go down as one 
     of the greatest of all. He knew the rules and he played by 
     them. He knew the issues and he fought for them. He 
     understood America's greatness and he heralded it. But most 
     of all, he seemed to always remember the working men and 
     women of his state and this country. He will be missed. I 
     must say thank you, Robert, for your friendship and all you 
     did for me and all of us.

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