Thomas Daschle: “I am humbled and extraordinarily grateful for the generous words of my colleagues. Senator Byrd has honored me once…”

“I am humbled and extraordinarily grateful for the generous words of my colleagues. Senator Byrd has honored me once several years ago when he was gracious enough to nominate me for the position of majority leader. Oftentimes his words are repeated in introductions all over the country, and I have not forgotten that special moment. I will be forever grateful to him for those words on that day. But I must say I am equally honored this afternoon that Senator Byrd would come to the floor and honor my grandchild as he has. This is a very joyous occasion for my family. I must say, I believe that the words just spoken will probably be read and spoken and reiterated and kept and treasured longer than the words spoken about my nomination as majority leader. They will probably terminate when I pass, but the words spoken to my grandchild will go on for generations. So his willingness to come to the floor and speak as he has means so much to me. I would also say, as much as I have learned from him as a Senator, that may pale in comparison to what I think I may learn from him as a grandfather. So I thank him for his kindness and for his willingness to make this moment in our lives even richer. I do not have two dearer colleagues in the Senate than I do in Senator Reid and Senator Leahy. They are like family to us--to my wife and my children. For them to join Senator Byrd on this glorious day means so much to me.”