Cord Byrd: “the senior Senator from North Carolina, Mr. Helms, is in some ways my Senator. I was born in North Carolina. I was born…”

“the senior Senator from North Carolina, Mr. Helms, is in some ways my Senator. I was born in North Carolina. I was born there before Senator Helms was born there. My natural father and mother are buried there in North Wilkesboro, NC. One of my brothers, the only brother I have still living, still lives in Wilkes County. Many years ago, before the senior Senator from North Carolina joined the Senate, he was a radio commentator on WRAL in Raleigh, NC. During one of his radio commentaries, it is my understanding that the future Senator from North Carolina--the future Senator then, Senator Helms, not Senator at that point--spoke of me as a Senator whose ``greatest strength is his dedicated independence of thought and action,'' as a Senator who is ``neither easily frightened nor intimidated,'' as a Senator who ``stands up for what he regards as important.'' I have always appreciated those words, and over the many years, I have appreciated the friendship of the senior Senator from the State of North Carolina. So when Jesse Helms was elected to the United States Senate in 1972, it seemed to me that we were already long-time friends, and we became even closer friends. The more we came to know each other, the more at least I liked and respected him. I think he returned the compliment, but I cannot speak for that. I can only say for myself that I liked and I like Jesse Helms and I respect him, and I have always respected him.”