Thomas Daschle: “last Thursday marked an important--and extraordinary--milestone in the lives of two very special members of our Senate…”

“last Thursday marked an important--and extraordinary--milestone in the lives of two very special members of our Senate family. On May 29, 1937--66 years and one week ago today--Robert Carlyle Byrd and Erma Ora James were married. The Senate was not in session on their actual anniversary, so I come to the floor today--one week later--to congratulate Senator and Mrs. Byrd on their remarkable achievement. Robert and Erma Byrd both grew up in the hardscrabble coal country of West Virginia. They were high school sweethearts. Of all of Senator Byrd's tremendous achievements--and there are many--I suspect the two that mean the most to him are convincing Erma James to marry him in the first place--and staying married to her all these years. I have heard Senator Byrd say often that he could not do this job were it not for his wife's love and support. In his words: "She is not only my wife, but also my best counselor. She has been a strong pillar of support in all my endeavors." The Byrds' marriage has brought them two wonderful daughters: Mona Byrd Fatemi and Marjorie Byrd Moore. They have also been blessed with six grandchildren and three great- granddaughters.”