[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13222]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SENATOR ROBERT C. BYRD

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, West Virginia, the U.S. Senate, and our 
Nation have experienced an incredible loss. Over the last few weeks, 
this Chamber witnessed poignant eulogies and remembrances of the 
legendary Senator Robert Byrd. Much has been said and written since 
Senator Byrd's death on June 28, 2010.
  Those who have so eloquently written and spoken knew the Senator much 
better than I--Presidents, Senators, world leaders, dignitaries, as 
well as members of his family and friends in West Virginia.
  He will be remembered as an intelligent, compassionate and 
illustrious figure. A giant.
  Many people have recalled his historic milestones, distinguished 
career and legendary speeches. I first met Senator Byrd when I arrived 
in the Senate in 2007. I introduced myself and told him about a friend 
and patient of mine from Wyoming who had told me that Robert Byrd was 
his favorite senator. Like Senator Byrd, my friend uses a wheelchair. 
Senator Byrd asked me why my friend liked him so much. I told him it 
was because of their mutual commitment to the Constitution.
  I went on to say that he thought Senator Byrd was ``the best thing 
since sliced bread.'' Senator Byrd's eyes brightened and widened with 
the reference to sliced bread. He then gave me a complete history of 
sliced bread in America and the date when the first mechanical bread 
slicer was used in the United States. As a true man of the people, 
Senator Byrd also sent a note and a copy of the Constitution to my 
friend in Wyoming.
  When former Wyoming Senator Cliff Hansen died late last year, I 
shared the news with Senator Byrd. Senator Byrd said, ``I liked Cliff 
Hansen. Cliff Hansen was a friend of mine. Cliff Hansen knew what he 
stood for.'' The same can be said for Senator Byrd.
  As a public servant, he had few equals. As a parliamentary expert, he 
had none. Every day, Senator Byrd showed his enduring dedication to his 
family, the people of West Virginia, the United States Constitution, 
and our Nation.
  Senator Byrd leaves us with a memory of the man--the memory of his 
kindness, grace, and passion. He had a depth of institutional 
understanding and knowledge of the traditions of the U.S. Senate that 
will never be replaced. While many of us are students of history, 
Senator Byrd truly lived this Nation's history. His strength, 
determination, and unyielding pursuit of knowledge serve as a model for 
all of us.
  To his daughters Mona Byrd Fatemi and Marjorie Byrd Moore, his 
grandchildren, and family, I extend my family's sympathy and hope the 
coming days are filled with love, enduring strength, and God's grace.
  Bobbi and I wish the Byrd family our best and our prayers are with 
you.

                          ____________________