Political Quotes

“I rise today to join my colleagues in mourning the loss of one of the Senate's legendary Members--Robert C. Byrd, the honorable senior Senator from the great State of West Virginia. It wasn't too long ago that I looked right over there and I saw a desk draped in black with roses and it was one titan of the Senate-- Senator Ted Kennedy. Today, I look down here and I see a desk draped in black with white roses and it is a second titan of the Senate. I had the privilege of serving with Senator Byrd on the Appropriations Committee for some 16 years. I have had occasion to watch him. He could be very tough, he could be very caring, and he could have that twinkle in his eye. He could depart from the present text into Greek tragedy; into old Roman speaking. He had an incredibly curious mind. I think he is going to be greatly missed from this body. I think of him representing the State of West Virginia for 51 years and serving 6 years in the House of Representatives. During all those 57 years, he served with the kind of devotion and passion that he showed in his last year here in the Senate, when he was very troubled by declining health. He has truly left an indelible imprint on the State of West Virginia and on this body. No one has ever shown more determination or greater love for the United States Senate than Robert C. Byrd. His tenure has been legendary.”