Cord Byrd: “we cannot, we must not violate that trust. This is my 49th year in the U.S. Senate. When I came here 49 years ago, there…”

“we cannot, we must not violate that trust. This is my 49th year in the U.S. Senate. When I came here 49 years ago, there was no sound system in the Senate--none. And so when a Senator spoke, especially if he was giving his maiden speech, the word got around that a Senator was going to make his maiden speech. Senators came to the floor. The speeches, as I say, were not televised. There was no audio. A Senator spoke from his desk, and he spoke out. He spoke out. He spoke without an audio system. But other Senators would come up. They would come closer to the Senator who was speaking. They would gather around. I can remember when I made my maiden speech in the Senate. It was a long time ago. It has been my privilege today to sit at my desk here and listen to the distinguished Senator who comes from my neighboring State just across the great Ohio River. It has been my privilege to listen to him. He spoke well. Senators are at their offices, most of them. A lot of them heard this speech. They were not here to hear it, but I was here. I wish to commend the Senator on his maiden speech. It was a good speech. I like the way he spoke. I like the way he spoke from his heart. That speech will be in the Record for 1,000 years. I compliment the Senator. I am proud to be here in his audience today. I want him to continue to take the floor and speak his mind, speak for his people and to the people all across this country. I thank him for his speech. It was well done.”