Cord Byrd: “I want to say what I am about to say without giving an appearance that I am saying it with rancor or that I am…”

“I want to say what I am about to say without giving an appearance that I am saying it with rancor or that I am attempting to lecture my colleagues. I think of that great man in Roman history whose name was Helvidius Priscus. He was a Roman Senator. The Emperor at that time was the Emperor Vespasian. He and Helvidius Priscus, the Senator, were very much at odds over a given issue, and the Roman Senate was about to decide this issue. The Emperor saw Helvidius Priscus as Priscus was about to enter the Senate. The Emperor stopped Helvidius Priscus and said: Don't go in to the Senate today. Helvidius Priscus--ah, there was a man of courage. There was a man who saw his duty first, a man who saw his duty to the people, his duty under the Roman Constitution. And he saw through the cynical fog and kept his eyes on his duty. And he said: O Emperor, you have the power to make a Senator and to unmake a Senator. But as long as I am a Senator--and you appointed me--it is my duty to go into the Senate. Vespasian said: All right, but don't answer any questions. Helvidius said: If I am not asked any questions, I will keep quiet. But if I am asked a question, I must answer it. Vespasian said: Then, if you answer it, you will die. Helvidius Priscus responded: O Emperor, it is in your power to do what you will. It is my duty to say and do where my conscience leads me.”