Political Quotes

“I would like to open today with respects paid to Erma Byrd, the wife of our dear friend and colleague, Senator Robert Byrd. As the Chaplain mentioned in his prayer, Mrs. Byrd passed away recently--in fact, on Saturday night. Erma Ora James Byrd was the devoted wife of Senator Byrd for nearly 69 years. Born in Virginia in 1917, Erma and her family moved to West Virginia when she was a child. It was there that she met her future husband at the Mark Twain Grade School in Raleigh County. The couple married when they were 19 years old. The daughter of coal miners, Erma never forgot her humble beginnings. As a young couple, the Byrds enjoyed a simple existence. They could often be found at community square dances where Senator Byrd would be playing his fiddle and Erma would be dancing. From those local dances, to running a grocery business, to raising a family, Erma and Senator Byrd were partners in everything they did. When Senator Byrd decided to come to the House of Representatives in 1952 and then later entered law school, Erma took the lead in handling the house and bringing up their daughters. Throughout her life, Mrs. Byrd focused on her family. The Byrds were the proud parents to two daughters, Mona and Marjorie. And they were blessed with six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mrs. Byrd's love of children extended far beyond her family.…”