On the recordJune 28, 2010
today I rise on the floor of the Senate recognizing that we have white roses and a black drape adorning the desk of the late Senator Robert C. Byrd. I had told him personally in the past that when my service is done I will have considered it a great privilege to have served in this body at the time when Robert Byrd served in this body. He was a lot of things. He was smart and tough and honest. Because he legislated and because of his career here, this is a better country, I am convinced of that. All of us know Senator Byrd grew old here and became someone with health problems in recent years and yet even last week would come to this Chamber and cast his vote. In recent weeks I had several visits with him on the floor of the Senate. All of us know as well that he loved his country. He, most of all, loved the Senate. He wrote a two-volume book of history on this body, and I say to anybody listening, if they enjoy history and enjoy knowing anything about the wonderful history of this body, read what Senator Byrd has written. It is extraordinary. He loved the Constitution of the United States, and he never appeared on the floor of the Senate without having a copy of that Constitution in his suit pocket. He always had a copy of the Constitution with him. He was also someone who did not just love the history of the Senate but loved Roman history.
