Cord Byrd: “Mr. President, I take the floor on a point of personal privilege on behalf of the people of West Virginia. Growing up…”

“Mr. President, I take the floor on a point of personal privilege on behalf of the people of West Virginia. Growing up, we all heard the legend--which was probably mythical--of young George Washington. As the story goes, his father, after seeing a tree chopped down on their land, approached young George and asked if he was responsible. The story continues that the boy responded: ``Father, I cannot tell a lie. I cut down that cherry tree.'' The boy who grew up to be President knew the value of truth. Unfortunately, however, when it comes to Presidential politics these days, telling the truth is seriously out of style. That point was brought home sharply to me last weekend when I traveled to West Virginia, where I learned of a scurrilous campaign being waged in West Virginia to scare voters--think of it--to scare West Virginia voters into registering and voting Republican. Incredibly, the weapon being brandished is the Holy Bible itself.…”