On the recordJune 28, 2010
I rise with a heavy heart to pay tribute to our friend and colleague who died early this morning, Senator Robert C. Byrd, the longest serving Member in the illustrious history of the U.S. Congress, the longest serving Senator, and the only Senator in U.S. history elected to nine full terms. Considering that Senator Byrd won his first election, to the West Virginia House of Delegates, in 1946, it may be that he was the longest serving elected official in history. His passing is a profound loss to all Americans, to his beloved constituents in West Virginia, and particularly to the institution of the U.S. Senate and those of us who serve here. The Senate had no greater champion than Robert Byrd, no one with his understanding of the Senate's unique character, role, promise, history, and parliamentary procedures.
