Cord Byrd: “this is a great pleasure--a great pleasure-- that I congratulate my very highly esteemed colleague and dearest friend…”

“this is a great pleasure--a great pleasure-- that I congratulate my very highly esteemed colleague and dearest friend, Senator Edward Kennedy, upon the casting of his 15,000th vote. Senator Kennedy has now become a member, an illustrious member, of one of the most exclusive clubs in the whole wide world. Throughout the entire history of the Senate, only 2 other Senators have cast 15,000 votes--I and the late Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. As a charter member of this exclusive club, I welcome Senator Kennedy aboard. This latest achievement is only one of many for this fine son of Massachusetts. He has spent more than half his life in the Senate, and he is the third longest serving Senator in U.S. history. As I have said before on this floor, history will be kind to Senator Kennedy. I have no doubt that history will not only regard Senator Ted Kennedy as one of the most effective national legislators of the 20th and now the 21st century but also as one of the great Senators ever to have graced this illustrious Chamber. Although born to a life of privilege, Senator Kennedy has dedicated his life to serving others. Senator Kennedy represents the heart and the conscience of American liberalism. Senator Kennedy is responsible for much, indeed much of the progressive legislation of the last four decades.…”