Already the longest serving U.S. Senator, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd is now the longest-serving member of the United States Congress with 56 years, 320 days of continuous service, surpassing Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona.
House and Senate Resolutions were adopted by the respective chambers honoring Senator Byrd as a distinguished public servant and dedicated statesman, and designating November 18, 2009 as “The Honorable Robert C. Byrd Day.”
A celebration began today at 3 p.m. in front of Senator Byrd’s statue in the Capitol Rotunda. In addition to various speakers, the ceremony featured a live bald eagle and exhibited photos and memorabilia from throughout the senator’s career – including his beloved fiddle.
Speaker Richard Thompson was on hand for the event.
“Senator Byrd’s roots in public service are here in these halls, in our very own House chamber – where he first came to serve after his mountain music touched the hearts of so many in Southern West Virginia,” Thompson said. “His beginnings are humble and inspirational, his knowledge is vast and unmatched, and his service is faithful and historic. I congratulate him on this extraordinary milestone.”
Though Byrd himself was not in attendance, hundreds of lawmakers and citizens turned out in support of the state’s senior Senator. Many fondly recounted their past involvement with the 9-term Senator.
Among them was Senate President and Lieutenant Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, who said, “It has been one of my greatest honors to work with Senator Byrd throughout my legislative career. An impassioned defender of the Constitution and fighter for West Virginia, his contributions to both the nation and our Mountain State are simply unrivaled – and forever exemplary. I believe we, as a state, will always be better because of his service. And I wish him, our West Virginian of the 20th Century, the very best on this historic day.”
The event ended with the Governor issuing an executive proclamation marking each Nov. 18th as “The Honorable Robert C. Byrd Day”.
