Patty Murray: “I do want to talk for a minute about Senator Byrd and recognize he has set a record in the Senate, as many of my…”

“I do want to talk for a minute about Senator Byrd and recognize he has set a record in the Senate, as many of my colleagues have noted on the floor. He marked his 17,327th day in office yesterday and became the longest serving Senator in history. That is truly a remarkable accomplishment, and I personally have many fond memories of working with Senator Byrd and look forward to many more. I remember well when I came here as a freshman Senator 13\1/2\ years ago. Senator Byrd at the time brought in all of us freshmen Senators to sit across from him in his very important office and looked down at us and told us that we would be presiding, as is the Presiding Officer today, and told us about our responsibilities and made it very clear he would be watching from his office, and if we were reading any other material or talking to anyone it would be noted. I certainly did remember that during the many hours I spent in the Presiding Officer's chair because I knew he was watching. But I think it was a simple reminder to all of us as to the importance of the office we hold here and the respect we have to have for our colleagues. I remember as well that he invited me to lunch several months later with the Senator from Oregon, Mr. Hatfield, a Republican, to sit down and talk with me about the responsibilities I had as a Senator. And I was so impressed sitting in the room with Senator Byrd and Senator Hatfield, never in my life expecting to have that kind of opportunity.…”