Cord Byrd: “I have great respect for every Senator. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Gramm, the Senator from Texas who made the…”

“I have great respect for every Senator. I have tremendous respect for Mr. Gramm, the Senator from Texas who made the point of order. I have the highest respect for Ted Stevens on that side of the aisle. I have said that many times. I don't indulge any rancor at all in my heart, nor should any Senator toward any other Senator. But I must say that I am troubled greatly when we have come to the point in this Republic of ours when men and women who are elected and who swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution while standing at that desk with their hand on the Holy Bible, let their political partisanship cloud their vision. The President didn't elect me. I don't say that out of disrespect for him. He didn't elect me. The people of West Virginia elected me. They elected me to use my best judgment on great national issues. They did not elect me to say whatever the President wants me to say, or to allow any President to tell me how to vote. It hurts me in my heart to think that men and women fail to see where their duty lies under the Constitution. I beg all Senators' forgiveness, but after being here 49 years this year, I cannot help but say that that troubles me. When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf, And the world makes you King for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that guy has to say. For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgement upon you must pass.”