Byron Dorgan: “let me observe, if no one has, as of yet, it is the 85th birthday today of our colleague from West Virginia, Senator…”

“let me observe, if no one has, as of yet, it is the 85th birthday today of our colleague from West Virginia, Senator Byrd. I gave him a note a few moments ago, not only wishing him a happy birthday but, on this last day of this Congress, saying to him how much all of us appreciate the fact he has given so many years of public service to our country. I pointed out--if I might just continue for a moment--in a note to him that as I read the book about John Adams by David McCullough, John Adams seemed, as they were trying to create this country, to write to Abigail, plaintively asking: Where will the leadership come from? Who will emerge as the leaders of our great country? As they put this country together, of course, the leaders were there. John Adams said: There is only us--George Washington, Mason, Madison, Ben Franklin, and so on. For over 2 centuries, the question before this democracy has been: Where will the leadership come from? Where will the leadership emerge? This country has been enormously blessed by having leaders emerge throughout its history. A significant part of that history here in the Senate has been blessed with the leadership of one Senator Robert Byrd. So today, on his 85th birthday, let me join his colleagues in wishing him, on behalf of a grateful Nation, a hearty, happy 85th birthday, and many more.”