On Wednesday, the Senate honored Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) for being the longest serving member of Congress. Byrd was elected to Congress in 1952 and 6 years later, was elected to the Senate.
Byrd made the following remarks about his long tenure:
“I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days,” Sen. Robert Byrd said in a statement marking the occasion. His only regret, Byrd said, was that his late wife, Erma, was not there with him.
“I know that she is looking down from the heavens smiling at me and saying congratulations, my dear Robert — but don’t let it go to your head,” Byrd said.
The 92 year old senator is known for his earmarks–he has brought home millions to his state, West Virginia, which has a long history of economic depression.
Senator Byrd was quite upset over the illness of Senator Ted Kennedy and his subsequent death. He was part of the large group who waited on the Capitol steps for the hearse bearing Kennedy’s casket to stop for a moment, so that staffers and other friends of the Lion of the Senate, could pay their respects. It was a warm afternoon and Senator Byrd had to be taken inside. He is not in good health himself.
Imagine, serving in Congress for almost 57 years.
