Political Quotes

“I rise to talk about the loss of our senior colleague, Senator Robert C. Byrd. Senator Byrd, I had the privilege and honor of serving with for over 24 years in the Senate. I believe this body has lost a giant. For more than five decades, Robert C. Byrd served his country, fought to protect the institution of the Senate, and worked tirelessly for the people of West Virginia. The people of West Virginia were never very far from the mind of Robert C. Byrd. I know because I worked with him every day for 24 years. Senator Byrd and his passing leave a tremendous void for this body and for the Nation. He will be greatly missed. Senator Byrd was a great man, an exceptional person, somebody who had lost his parents and, through sheer will, made himself into a great man. He was a legend in the Senate, the longest serving Senator in the history of the United States and the longest serving lawmaker in congressional history. The people of West Virginia elected him to the Senate an amazing nine times and three times before that to the House of Representatives. He served in almost every leadership post in the Senate, including twice as majority leader and for almost two decades as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He took an incredible 18,500 votes, a record which will never be broken. At least that is my forecast. I do not know how anybody will ever break a record of 18,500 votes. Senator Byrd may be remembered most as the protector of the institution of the Senate.”