Robert Byrd casts his 18,000th vote

[Staph]

If you look up the word "statesman" in the dictionary, you see this man's picture. Senator Byrd’s vote was on an amendment written by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) that would accelerate the development of coal-to-liquids technology. Rockefeller, Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV-1) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV-3) were in attendance as Byrd made the milestone vote.

You may disagree with this particular vote (and I do, though I understand why many West Virginians support all sorts of new coal technologies), but he has done a lifetime of great work for this nation.



Senator Robert C. Byrd’s Remarks on the Occasion of His 18,000th Vote in the U.S. Senate

“Mr. President, I am humbled at the attention being paid to this vote. After all, each Senator has a responsibility to vote. The people of West Virginia expect me to do the job that they sent me here to do, and I am doing it. This 18,000th roll call vote is a testament to their faith in me, and my work for them.

“I love this Senate. I love the Senate for its rules and its precedents, and for the difference that it can make in people’s lives. The Senate was viewed by the Framers as a place where mature wisdom would reside. It was intended to serve as a check on both the House of Representatives and the Executive. The longer terms, the older age requirements, the special functions delegated to the Senate regarding treaties, appointments, impeachment -- all of these are indicative of intent by the Framers to have the Senate be the stabilizer, the fence, the check on attempts at tyranny, and the calmer of political passions. Partisanship was not viewed as necessary or constructive in that day and time. Nor, might I say, is total devotion to partisanship constructive in this day and time.

“I have served in this chamber for nearly five decades. Times have changed. The world has changed. But our responsibilities and duties as Senators have not. We have a responsibility to the people to make our country a better place. The people send us here to do a job. They do not send us here to score political points or to advance our personal agenda.

“If I could have one wish as I cast this 18,000th vote, it would be that the Senate could put aside the political games, roll up our sleeves, and get back to work for the people of America.”

[LiberalFighter]

1. Now would be a good time for him to retire.

While he still has a bit of himself in him.

I hope they have someone groomed that has a chance of filling his shoes.

[Staph]

2. Why should he retire?

I saw Strom Thurmond in his last years in the Senate, stumbling down the hallway, his eyes on the floor and his hand hanging on the shoulder of an aide. There was no one there, inside that sad, old facade.

But Robert Byrd is still there, still fighting, still speaking up for his state and his nation and his constitution. The body is frail, the soul is saddened by the loss of his dear wife, but the spirit is still battling for what he believes is right. If he retires, he'll be dead in a few months. But if he stays in the Senate, if he keeps working, I suspect that he'll survive until the end of his term in 2012.

And he's my Senator and the Senator of the people of West Virginia. If we still want him to serve us, that is our choice. Robert Byrd speaks for me.

[LiberalFighter]

3. I hope Senator Byrd doesn't become an empty shell before he retires