Cord Byrd: “today, May 25, in the year of our Lord 2000, marks the 213th anniversary of a monumental event, the most monumental…”

“today, May 25, in the year of our Lord 2000, marks the 213th anniversary of a monumental event, the most monumental event that ever occurred in American history. It was on May 25, 1787, that a sufficient number of State delegations convened in Philadelphia to begin their deliberations ``to form a more perfect Union.'' Fifty-five delegates labored through that long, hot summer in Independence Hall in the very room where the Declaration of Independence had been signed 11 years earlier. By September 17 of that year, when they adjourned sine die, they had produced a remarkable document, the most remarkable document of its kind that was ever written, the Constitution of the United States. I place only the King James version of the Holy Bible above this document, the Constitution of the United States. That is the remarkable document that established our Federal Government, that provided for a U.S. Senate, that provided for the equality of the small States with the large States. That is the document that made it possible for tiny, mountainous West Virginia to have two votes, to be equal to the great State of New York, to be equal to the great States of California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana in the Senate. If it were not for this document which I hold in my hand, the Constitution of the United States, we wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be here. The distinguished Presiding Officer who comes from the State of Illinois would not be here.”