Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I join my colleagues in appreciation and admiration of Senator Robert Byrd. By the time I took my seat in this Chamber, Senator Byrd had already held his for more than four decades. He had already held numerous leadership positions, including Senate majority leader and President pro tempore. He had already become a master of parliamentary procedure. He had already championed many Federal projects that still bear his name in his home State of West Virginia. Senator Byrd won the admiration of all his colleagues for his study of the history of this body. He delivered hundreds of addresses on Senate history and procedure, as well as the debt we owe to the original Senate that governed Ancient Rome for centuries. For such work, Senator Byrd has earned the gratitude of all future generations of Americans. Texans especially appreciate Senator Byrd's attention to the contributions of our Senators to the history of this body. Senator Sam Houston, the original occupant of the seat I hold, was described by Senator Byrd in this way: The flamboyant Sam Houston of Texas used to stride into the old Senate chamber wearing such eye-catching accessories as a leopard-skin waist-coat, a bright red vest, or a Mexican sombrero. . . . He would while away the time in the old chamber by whittling, creating a pile of shavings beneath his desk, and pages would bring him his pine blocks and then clean up the shavings.…”