Robert C. Byrd
Senior Senator from West Virginia
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1959 Serving with Jay Rockefeller
Preceded by	W. Chapman Revercomb
13th United States Senate Majority Leader
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Mike Mansfield
Succeeded by	Howard Baker
16th United States Senate Majority Leader
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989
Preceded by	Bob Dole
Succeeded by	George J. Mitchell
16th United States Senate Minority Leader
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Howard Baker
Succeeded by	Bob Dole
17th Majority Whip of the United States Senate
In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by	Ted Kennedy
Succeeded by	Alan Cranston
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 January 3, 2001 – January 20, 2001 June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003 January 3, 2007 –
Preceded by	John C. Stennis (1989) Strom Thurmond (2001) Ted Stevens (2007)
Succeeded by	Strom Thurmond (1995 & 2001) Ted Stevens (2003)
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995 January 3, 2001 – January 20, 2001 June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003 January 3, 2007 –
Preceded by	John C. Stennis (1989) Ted Stevens (2001) Thad Cochran (2007)
Succeeded by	Mark O. Hatfield (1995) Ted Stevens (2001 & 2003)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the West Virginia 6th District
In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1959
Preceded by	E. H. Hedrick
Succeeded by	John Slack, Jr.
Born	November 20, 1917 (1917-11-20) (age 90) North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Erma Ora Byrd (deceased)
Religion	Southern Baptist
Website	U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd

Robert Carlyle Byrd (born November 20, 1917) is the senior United States Senator from West Virginia and a member of the Democratic Party. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV (born June 18, 1937) generally known as Jay Rockefeller, has served as a Democratic U William Chapman Revercomb ( July 20 1895 &ndash October 6 1979) was an American politician and Lawyer in the state The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders (also called Senate Floor Leaders) are two United States Senators who are elected by the party conferences Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Michael Joseph Mansfield (March 16 1903 – October 5 2001 was an American Democratic politician and the longest-serving Majority Leader of the United States Howard Henry Baker Jr (born November 15, 1925) is a former Senate Majority Leader, Republican U The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders (also called Senate Floor Leaders) are two United States Senators who are elected by the party conferences Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole (born July 22 1923 is an attorney and retired United States Senator from Kansas from 1969–1996 serving part of that time For other persons with a similar name see George Mitchell. George John Mitchell, GBE (born August 20, 1933 The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders (also called Senate Floor Leaders) are two United States Senators who are elected by the party conferences Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Howard Henry Baker Jr (born November 15, 1925) is a former Senate Majority Leader, Republican U Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole (born July 22 1923 is an attorney and retired United States Senator from Kansas from 1969–1996 serving part of that time The Assistant Majority and' Minority Leaders of the United States Senate' (commonly called Senate Majority and' Minority Whips) are the second-ranking Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (born February 22 1932 is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Alan MacGregor Cranston ( June 19 1914 – December 31 2000) was an American Journalist and Democratic Senator The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. John Cornelius Stennis ( August 3, 1901 – April 23, 1995) was a U James Strom Thurmond ( December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and Theodore Fulton Stevens (born November 18 1923 is the senior United States Senator from Alaska, serving since December 24 1968 James Strom Thurmond ( December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and Theodore Fulton Stevens (born November 18 1923 is the senior United States Senator from Alaska, serving since December 24 1968 The US Senate Committee on Appropriations is a Standing committee of the United States Senate. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. John Cornelius Stennis ( August 3, 1901 – April 23, 1995) was a U Theodore Fulton Stevens (born November 18 1923 is the senior United States Senator from Alaska, serving since December 24 1968 William Thad Cochran (born December 7, 1937) is the senior United States Senator from Mississippi. Mark Odom Hatfield (born July 12 1922 is an American politician and educator from the state of Oregon. Theodore Fulton Stevens (born November 18 1923 is the senior United States Senator from Alaska, serving since December 24 1968 The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. These are tables of congressional delegations from West Virginia to the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Erland Harold Hedrick, better know as E H Hedrick ( August 9, 1894 – September 20, 1954) was an American Democratic John Mark Slack Jr ( March 18, 1915 - March 17, 1980) was an American Politician from West Virginia. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. The Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC) is a United States -based mostly conservative Christian denomination Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Byrd has held the office since January 3, 1959. Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He has served as a Senator for &0000000000000049. 00000049 years, &0000000000000163. 000000163 days, making him the longest-serving member in the Senate's history. This is a list of United States Congressmen by longevity of service He is also the oldest current member of the United States Congress. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses

Byrd is President pro tempore of the United States Senate of the 110th United States Congress, a position that puts him third in line of presidential succession, behind Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The President pro tempore of the Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator The presidential line of succession defines who may become or act as President of the United States upon the incapacity death resignation or removal from office (by Impeachment The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney (born January 30 1941 is the forty-sixth and current Vice President of the United States. The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives is the presiding officer&mdashor speaker &mdashof the United States House of Representatives. Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi (born March 26 1940 is the current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He also held this post previously from 1989–1995, briefly in January 2001, and from June 2001 – January 2003. In this role, Sen. Byrd signs every Bill passed by Congress before it is sent to the president to be signed into law or vetoed.

He also previously held many leadership positions: Senate Conference Secretary, Majority Whip and twice Majority Leader. Whip is a role in party-based politics whose primary purpose is to ensure control of the formal decision-making process in a parliamentary legislature In US politics, the majority leader is a partisan position in a legislative body He is the only former majority leader currently in the Senate.

On June 2, 2008 U. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common S. Sen. Robert Byrd was hospitalized for observation, a spokesman told CNN.

Early life

Byrd was born Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr. , in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in 1917. North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States When he was one year old, his mother, Ada Mae Kirby, died in the 1918 Flu Pandemic. The 1918 flu pandemic (commonly referred to as the Spanish flu) was an Influenza Pandemic that spread to nearly every part of the world In accordance with his mother's wishes, his father, Cornelius Calvin Sale,^[1] dispersed the family children among relatives. Sale Jr. was given to the custody of an aunt and an uncle, Vlurma and Titus Byrd, who renamed him Robert Byrd and raised him in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia. Southern West Virginia is a culturally and geographically distinct region in the U

Byrd was valedictorian of his high-school class and, in 1937, he married his high-school sweetheart, Erma Ora James. He eventually attended Beckley College (now Mountain State University), Concord College (now Concord University), Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston), and Marshall College (now Marshall University), all in West Virginia. Mountain State University (MSU is an independent nonsectarian coeducational not-for-profit university based in Beckley West Virginia. Concord University is a comprehensive public liberal arts institution located in Athens West Virginia, founded on February 28 1872, when the The University of Charleston is a private university in Charleston West Virginia, United States of over 1000 students Marshall University is a Coeducational public Research university in Huntington West Virginia, founded in 1837 as a private subscription He worked as a gas-station attendant, grocery-store clerk, shipyard welder during World War II, and butcher, before he won a seat in the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946, representing Raleigh County in 1947–1950. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The West Virginia House of Delegates is the Lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Raleigh County, founded in 1850 is located in the US state of West Virginia. In 1950, he was elected to the West Virginia Senate, where he served in 1951–1952. The West Virginia Senate is the Upper house of the West Virginia Legislature. After taking a decade of night classes while in Congress, he graduated from American University's Washington College of Law in 1963. For other universities known as American University see American University (disambiguation. The American University Washington College of Law (WCL is a private ABA -certified American Law school.

Then–State Delegate Robert Byrd was among the official witnesses of the execution of Harry Burdette and Fred Painter in 1951, which was the first use of the electric chair in West Virginia. Execution by electrocution (usually referred to after its method of implementation as the Electric Chair) is an execution method originating in the United States in which the ^[2] Capital punishment in that state was abolished in 1965, the last execution having occurred in 1959. In a 2007 speech, Byrd recalled this event by stating that electrocution "is not a beautiful thing". ^[3]

Participation in the Ku Klux Klan

Byrd witnessed Klan parades during his childhood in Matoaka, West Virginia. Matoaka is a small town in Mercer County, West Virginia, United States. When Byrd was twenty four he joined the Ku Klux Klan in 1942. Ku Klux Klan ( KKK) is the name of several past and present secret domestic terrorist organizations in the United States, generally in the southern states that are He was unanimously elected Exalted Cyclops of his local chapter. Ku Klux Klan ( KKK) is the name of several past and present secret domestic terrorist organizations in the United States, generally in the southern states that are ^[4]

According to Byrd, a Klan official told him "You have a talent for leadership, Bob. . . The country needs young men like you in the leadership of the nation. " Byrd recalls, "suddenly lights flashed in my mind! Someone important had recognized my abilities! I was only 23 or 24 years old, and the thought of a political career had never really hit me. But strike me that night, it did. "^[4] Byrd held the titles Kleagle (recruiter) and Exalted Cyclops. Kleagle is the title held by a form of Ku Klux Klan officer whose role is to recruit new members During the war he did not serve in the military, working instead as a welder for warships in a Baltimore, Maryland shipyard.

When Byrd was twenty eight years old, he wrote about the 1945 racial integration of the military to segregationist Mississippi Senator Theodore Bilbo:

"I shall never fight in the armed forces with a Negro by my side. Mississippi ( is a state located in the Deep South of the United States The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives Theodore Gilmore Bilbo ( October 13, 1877 &ndash August 21, 1947) was an American politician. . . Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds. ^[5][6][7]

When running for the United States House of Representatives in 1952, he announced "After about a year, I became disinterested, quit paying my dues, and dropped my membership in the organization. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. During the nine years that have followed, I have never been interested in the Klan. " He said the Klan offered excitement and was anti-communist, therefore he belonged to the Klan in the 1942-1943 period. ^[4] However, in 1946 or 1947 he wrote a letter to a Grand Wizard stating, "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia. . . [and] in every state in the nation. "^[8]

In 1997, he told an interviewer he would encourage young people to become involved in politics, but to "Be sure you avoid the Ku Klux Klan. Don't get that albatross around your neck. Once you've made that mistake, you inhibit your operations in the political arena. "^[9] In his latest autobiography, Byrd explained that he was a member because he "was sorely afflicted with tunnel vision—a jejune and immature outlook—seeing only what I wanted to see because I thought the Klan could provide an outlet for my talents and ambitions. "^[10] Byrd also said, in 2005,

I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place in America. I apologized a thousand times. . . and I don't mind apologizing over and over again. I can't erase what happened. ^[4]

Congressional service

In 1952, Byrd was elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives for West Virginia's 6th Congressional District, succeeding E. H. Hedrick, who had decided to step down to run for Governor of West Virginia. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Erland Harold Hedrick, better know as E H Hedrick ( August 9, 1894 – September 20, 1954) was an American Democratic This is a list of Governors of West Virginia List of Governors He was reelected to the House twice. Byrd defeated Republican incumbent W. Chapman Revercomb for the United States Senate in 1958. William Chapman Revercomb ( July 20 1895 &ndash October 6 1979) was an American politician and Lawyer in the state The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives He has been reelected eight times. He was West Virginia's junior senator for his first four terms; his colleague from 1959 to 1985 was Jennings Randolph, who had been elected on the same day in a special election to fill the seat of the late Senator Matthew Neely. Jennings Randolph ( March 8 1902 &ndash May 8 1998) was an American politician from West Virginia. Matthew Mansfield Neely ( November 9 1874 – January 18 1958) was a Democratic Politician from West Virginia

While Byrd faced some vigorous Republican opposition in the past, he has not faced truly serious opposition since freshman congressman Cleve Benedict took a run at him in 1982. Cleveland Keith Benedict (born March 21, 1935) better known as Cleve Benedict, is a retired Republican politician from West Virginia He has since won by comfortable margins. Despite his tremendous popularity in the state, he has only run unopposed once, in 1976. On two other occasions — in 1994 and 2000 — he carried all 55 of West Virginia's counties. In his reelection bid in 2000, he won all but seven of West Virginia's precincts. Shelley Moore Capito, a Congresswoman and the daughter of Byrd's longtime foe—former governor Arch Moore, Jr.—-briefly considered a challenge to Byrd in 2006, but decided against it. Shelley Moore Capito (born Shelley Wellons Moore on November 26 1953) is an American Politician. Arch Alfred Moore Jr (born April 16, 1923) was the Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989

In the 1960 Democratic Presidential election primaries, Byrd, a close Senate ally of Lyndon B. Johnson, endorsed and campaigned for Hubert Humphrey over frontrunner John F. Kennedy in the crucial West Virginia primary. Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr ( May 27, 1911 &ndash January 13, 1978) was the thirty-eighth Vice President of the United States, serving John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of A primary election ( nominating primary) also referred to simply as a primary, is an election in which voters in a Jurisdiction select candidates However, Kennedy won the state's primary and, eventually, the general election.

The record of public service longevity

An earlier portrait of Robert Byrd

Byrd was elected to an unprecedented ninth consecutive term in the Senate on November 7, 2006. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. He became the longest-serving senator in American history on June 12, 2006, surpassing Strom Thurmond of South Carolina with 17,327 days of service. This is a list of United States Congressmen by longevity of service Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. James Strom Thurmond ( December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politician who served as governor of South Carolina and South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. ^[11] Previously, he already held the record for the longest unbroken tenure in the Senate (Thurmond served 48 years in total, but vacated the office between April and November of 1956). This is a list of United States Congressmen by longevity of service Considering his tenure as state legislator from 1947 to 1953, Byrd's service exceeds 60 years, and he has never lost an election. Byrd has cast a total of 18,000 votes as of June 21, 2007, the most of any senator in history. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[12] Upon the death of Senator George Smathers of Florida on January 20, 2007, Byrd became the last living United States Senator from the 1950s. George Armistead Smathers (November 14 1913 – January 20 2007 was an American lawyer and politician who represented Florida in the United States Senate Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[13] He would pass Carl Hayden of Arizona as the longest-serving member of Congress (House and Senate tenure combined) in American history if he remains in service until November 19, 2009 (when he will complete 20,774 days in the Congress to Hayden's 20,773). Carl Trumbull Hayden ( October 2, 1877 &ndash January 25, 1972) was an American Politician and the first United States The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. This is a list of United States Congressmen by longevity of service Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land This article is about the year For the film see 2009 Lost Memories. Byrd is the last remaining Senator to have voted on a statehood bill and has served longer in the Senate than eight of his colleagues have been alive (those being Bob Casey, Jr., Amy Klobuchar, Blanche Lincoln, John Thune, David Vitter, Barack Obama, Mark Pryor, and John E. Sununu). Robert Patrick Casey Jr (born April 13, 1960) better known as Bob Casey Jr Amy Jean Klobuchar (pronounced "KLOH-buh-shar" IPA /'kloʊ Blanche Lambert Lincoln (born September 30, 1960) is the Democratic senior United States Senator from the State of Arkansas. John Randolph Thune (born January 7, 1961) is the Republican junior U David Bruce Vitter (born May 3, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Louisiana and a member of the Republican Party Mark Lunsford Pryor (born January 10, 1963) is a Democratic Politician in Arkansas. John Edward Sununu (born September 10, 1964) is a Republican United States Senator from New Hampshire.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Appropriations (Chairman)
  • As chairman of the full committee, Sen. The US Senate Committee on Appropriations is a Standing committee of the United States Senate. Byrd is an ex officio member of all subcommittees.
• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
  • Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
  • Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Rules and Administration

Filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Byrd joined with other Southern and border state Democrats to filibuster the Civil Rights Act of 1964, personally filibustering the bill for 14 hours — a move he now says he regrets. The Committee on Armed Services is a Committee of the United States Senate empowered with legislative oversight of the nation's military, including the The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces is one of six subcommittees within the Senate Armed Services Committee. The United States Senate Committee on Budget was established by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (also called the Senate Rules Committee) is responsible for the rules of the United States Senate, with administration The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body Origins The bill was introduced by President John F Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11 1963, in which he asked for legislation "giving ^[14] Despite an 83 day filibuster in the Senate, both parties in Congress voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Act, and President Johnson signed the bill into law. A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body ^[15] He also opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Background See also [[Disfranchisement after the Civil War]] The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865 after the Civil War, abolished and prohibited Types of banned discrimination The Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibited the following forms of discrimination 1 In 2005, Byrd told the Washington Post that his membership in the Baptist church led to a change in his views. Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. In the opinion of one reviewer, Byrd, along with other Southern and border state Democrats, came to realize that he would have to temper "his blatantly segregationist views" and move to the Democratic Party mainstream if he wanted to play a role nationally. ^[4]

Because of his opposition to desegregation, Byrd was often regarded as a Dixiecrat - a member of this Democratic Party wing that opposed desegregation and civil rights imposed by the Federal Government. The States' Rights Democratic Party (commonly known as the Dixiecrats) was a segregationist, socially conservative Political party However, despite his early career in the KKK, Byrd was linked to such "dixiecrat" Senators as John C. Stennis, J. William Fulbright or George Smathers, who based their segregationist positions on their conception of states' rights in contrast to, for example, James Eastland, who held a reputation as a committed racist. John Cornelius Stennis ( August 3, 1901 – April 23, 1995) was a U James William Fulbright ( April 9, 1905 &ndash February 9, 1995) was a United States Senator representing Arkansas from George Armistead Smathers (November 14 1913 – January 20 2007 was an American lawyer and politician who represented Florida in the United States Senate States' rights refers to the idea in US politics and constitutional law, that U James Oliver Eastland ( November 28, 1904 – February 19, 1986) was an American politician from Mississippi who served

Leadership roles

Paint of then-Majority Leader Byrd

Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd on the TIME Cover

Majority Whip Byrd meeting with President Gerald Ford. Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr (July 14 1913 December 26 2006 was the thirty-eighth President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977 and the fortieth Vice President

Byrd has been a member of the Senate Democratic leadership since 1967, when he was elected as secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference (caucus). He became Senate Majority Whip, or the second-ranking Democrat, in 1971. The Assistant Majority and' Minority Leaders of the United States Senate' (commonly called Senate Majority and' Minority Whips) are the second-ranking From 1977 to 1989 Byrd was the leader of the Senate Democrats, serving as Senate Majority Leader from 1977 to 1981 and 1987 to 1989 and as Senate Minority Leader from 1981 to 1987. The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders (also called Senate Floor Leaders) are two United States Senators who are elected by the party conferences The Senate Majority and Minority Leaders (also called Senate Floor Leaders) are two United States Senators who are elected by the party conferences

In 1976, Byrd was the "favorite son" candidate in West Virginia's primary. His easy victory gave him control of the delegation to the national convention. Byrd had the inside track as majority whip, but focused most of his time on campaigning for the office of majority leader, more so than for re-election to the Senate, as he was virtually unopposed for his fourth term. By the time the vote for majority leader was at hand, he had it so wrapped up that his lone rival, Minnesota's Hubert Humphrey, withdrew before the balloting took place. Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr ( May 27, 1911 &ndash January 13, 1978) was the thirty-eighth Vice President of the United States, serving

Byrd is well known for steering federal dollars to West Virginia, one of the country's poorest states. He is called by some the "King of Pork. In United States Politics, the term " pork barrel " refers to the appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily "^[16] After becoming chair of the Appropriations Committee in 1989, Byrd sought to steer, over time, a total of $1 billion for public works in the state. He passed that mark in 1991, and the steady stream of funds for highways, dams, educational institutions, and federal agency offices has continued unabated over the course of his membership. More than thirty pending or existing federal projects bear Byrd's name. He commented on his reputation for attaining funds for projects in West Virginia in August 2006 when he called himself "Big Daddy" at the dedication to the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center. ^[17]

Byrd with farmers from West Virginia

Byrd is also known for using his knowledge of parliamentary procedure: Before the "Reagan Revolution", Byrd frustrated Republicans with his encyclopedic knowledge of the inner workings of the Senate. Parliamentary procedure is the body of Rules Ethics, and Customs governing meetings and other operations of Clubs Organizations The United States Presidency of Ronald Reagan, also known as the Reagan Administration, was a Republican administration headed by From 1977 to 1979 he was described as "performing a procedural tap dance around the minority, outmaneuvering Republicans with his mastery of the Senate's arcane rules. "^[18] In 1988, while Majority Leader, he moved a call of the Senate, which was adopted by the majority present, in order to have the Sergeant at Arms arrest members not in attendance. A motion, in Parliamentary procedure, is a formal proposal by a member of a Deliberative assembly that the assembly take certain action A call of the house is a motion which can be adopted by a Deliberative assembly that has the authority to compel the attendance of its members in the absence of a The Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is the law enforcer for the United States Senate. One member (Robert Packwood, R-Oregon) was escorted back to the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms in order to obtain a quorum. Robert William "Bob" Packwood (born September 11, 1932) is an American Politician from Oregon and a member of the Oregon ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. In Law, a quorum is the minimum number of members of a Deliberative body necessary to conduct the business of that group ^[19]

President pro tempore Byrd and House Speaker Dennis Hastert presided over a special joint session following the September 11, 2001 attacks. See also Illinois's 14th congressional district special election 2008 John Dennis "Denny" Hastert (born January 2, 1942) is an Here President Bush shakes hands with Byrd.

As the longest-serving Democratic Senator, Byrd has served as President pro tempore four times when his party has been in the majority: from 1989 until the Republicans won control of the Senate in 1995; for 17 days in early 2001, when the Senate was evenly split between parties and outgoing Vice President Al Gore broke the tie in favor of the Democrats; when the Democrats regained the majority in June 2001 after Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont left the Republican party to become an independent; and again in 2007, as a result of the 2006 Senate elections. Albert Arnold Gore Jr (born March 31 1948 is an American environmental Activist, author Businessperson, former Politician, and former James Merrill "Jim" Jeffords (born May 11, 1934) is a former U Elections for the United States Senate were held on November 7[[ 006]] with 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate being contested In this capacity, Byrd is third in the line of presidential succession, currently behind Vice President Dick Cheney and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney (born January 30 1941 is the forty-sixth and current Vice President of the United States. Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi (born March 26 1940 is the current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

Scholarships and TAH History Grants

In 1969, Byrd launched a Scholastic Recognition Award; he also began to present a savings bond to valedictorians from high schools, public and private, in West Virginia. In 1985 Congress approved the nation's only merit-based scholarship program funded through the U. S. Department of Education, which Congress later named in Byrd's honor. The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program initially comprised a one-year, $1,500 award to students with "outstanding academic achievement" and who had been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher learning. The Robert C Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is a federally-funded and state-administered Merit-based scholarship program in the United States From 1993 onwards, the program began providing four-year scholarships; students who received the first-year scholarship then could apply for stipends for the next three years. ^[20]

In 2002 Byrd secured unanimous approval for a major national initiative to strengthen the teaching of "traditional American history" in the K12 public schools. ^[21] The Department of Education awards in competition $50 to $120 million a year to school districts (in sums of about $500,000 to $1 million). The money goes to teacher training programs, operated in conjunction with universities or museums, geared to improving the content skills of history teachers. Referred to as a "Byrd Grant," these awards come under the “Learning the Lessons of American History” initiative to strengthen and improve the teaching of American history in the schools. ^[22]

Senate historian

Byrd and Dr Richard Baker, a Senate historian

Television cameras were first introduced to the House of Representatives on March 19, 1979 with the launch of C-SPAN. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) C-SPAN (officially the Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) is an American Cable television network dedicated to airing non-stop coverage Fearing that Americans only saw the Congress as the House of Representatives, Byrd believed that Senate proceedings should be televised to prevent the Senate from becoming the "invisible branch" of government. Thanks in part to Byrd's efforts, cameras came to the Senate floor in June 1986. To help introduce the public to the inner workings of the legislative process, Byrd launched a series of speeches based on his examination of the Roman Republic and the intent of the Framers. The Roman Republic was the phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by a Republican form of government a period which began with the overthrow of the Byrd published a four-volume series on Senate history: The Senate: 1789–1989.

For that work, the American Historical Association, presented Byrd with the first Theodore Roosevelt-Woodrow Wilson Award for Civil Service on January 8, 2004. The American Historical Association ( AHA) is the oldest and largest society of Historians and Teachers of History in the United States Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The honorific award is intended to recognize individuals outside the academy "who have made a significant contribution to history. " During the 1980s, he delivered a hundred speeches on the floor dealing with various aspects of the Senate's history, which were published in four volumes as The Senate, 1789–1989: Addresses on the History of the Senate (Government Printing Office, 1989–94). The first volume of his series won the Henry Adams Prize of the Society for History in the Federal Government as "an outstanding contribution to research in the history of the Federal Government. " He also published The Senate of the Roman Republic: Addresses on the History of Roman Constitutionalism (Government Printing Office, 1995).

Byrd in music and cinema

Byrd was an avid fiddle player for most of his life, starting in his teens when he played in various square dance bands. The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member Once he entered politics, he used his fiddling skills to attract attention and win votes. In 1978 when Byrd was Majority Leader, he recorded an album called U. S. Senator Robert Byrd: Mountain Fiddler (County, 1978). Byrd was accompanied by Country Gentlemen Doyle Lawson, James Bailey, and Spider Gilliam. The Country Gentlemen are a bluegrass band originating in the area of Washington DC, United States. Most of the LP consists of "old-timey" mountain music. Byrd covers "Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die," a Zeke Manners song, and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By is a country/folk song reworked by A " He has performed at the Kennedy Center, on the Grand Ole Opry and on Hee Haw. The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (on the building itself called the John F The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly Country music radio program and concert broadcast live on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee For the EP by The Birthday Party, see Hee Haw (EP Hee Haw was a Television Variety show co-hosted He can no longer play the fiddle due to the symptoms of a benign essential tremor that affects his hands. Essential tremor ( ET) is a progressive Neurological disease whose most recognizable feature is a tremor of the Arms that is apparent during voluntary movements ^[23] Prior to that, he would occasionally take a break from Senate business to entertain audiences with his fiddle.

Senator Byrd also appeared in the Civil War movie Gods and Generals in 2003 along with former Virginia Senator George Allen as Confederate officers. Gods and Generals is a 2003 Film based on the novel Gods and Generals by Jeffrey Shaara. George Felix Allen (born March 8 1952 is a former Republican United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former ^[24]

Political views

Voting record

On occasion, Byrd disagreed with President Bill Clinton's policies. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States Byrd initially said that the impeachment proceedings against Clinton should be taken seriously and conducted completely. Former President of the United States Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998 Although he harshly criticized any attempt to make light of it, he made the motion to dismiss the charges against the president and effectively suspend proceedings. Even though he voted against both articles of impeachment, he was the sole Democrat to vote for the censure of Clinton. Not to be confused with Censor, Censer or Sensor. Censure (ˈsɛnʃəɹ is a process by which a formal Reprimand ^[25] He strongly opposed Clinton's 1993 efforts to allow gays to serve in the military and has also supported efforts to limit gay marriage. In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. "Don't ask don't tell" is the common term for the policy about homosexuality in the U Same-sex marriage (also referred to as gay marriage) is a term for a legally or Socially recognized Marriage between two people of the same However, he opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment, arguing that it was unnecessary because the states already had the power to ban gay marriages. The Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA (also referred to by proponents as the Marriage Protection Amendment) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution ^[26] However, when the amendment came to the Senate floor he was one of the two Democratic Senators who voted in favor of the cloture motion. In Parliamentary procedure, cloture (ˈkloʊtʃɝ KLO-cher (also called closure, and sometimes a guillotine) is a motion or process aimed at ^[27] He also opposes affirmative action. Affirmative action in the United States|Employment equity (Canada|Reservation in India|Numerus clausus The term affirmative action describes many policies aimed at a historically

He also voiced praise for George W. Bush's nomination of Judge John Roberts to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court created by the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist. John Glover Roberts Jr (born January 27 1955) is the seventeenth and current Chief Justice of the United States. William Hubbs Rehnquist (October 1 1924 – September 3 2005 was an American lawyer, jurist, and a political figure who served as an Associate Justice Likewise, Byrd supported the confirmation of Samuel Alito to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Samuel Anthony Alito Jr (born April 1, 1950) is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Sandra Day O'Connor (born March 26, 1930) is an American Jurist. Like most Democrats, however, Byrd opposes Bush's tax cuts and his proposals to change the Social Security program. Social Security, in the United States currently refers to the federal Old-Age Survivors and Disability Insurance ( OASDI) program He is pro-choice and voted against the first ban on partial birth abortions in 1995, but voted for the bill on subsequent occasions. Byrd voted against Laci and Conner's Law, which strongly divided the supporters and opponents of legal abortion. The Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-212 is a United States law which recognizes a "child in utero" as a legal victim if he or she is injured

Byrd is opposed to the Flag Desecration Amendment, saying that, while he wants to protect the American flag, he believed that amending the constitution "is not the most expeditious way to protect this revered symbol of our Republic. The Flag Desecration Amendment, often referred to as the flag burning amendment, is a controversial proposed Constitutional amendment to the United States Constitution Flags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternating " In response to the amendment, Byrd has cosponsored S. 1370, a bill that prohibits destruction or desecration of the flag by anyone trying to incite violence or causing a breach of the peace. It also provides that anyone who steals, damages, or destroys a flag on federal property, whether a flag owned by the federal government or a private group or individual, can be imprisoned for up to two years, or can be fined up to $250,000, or both. ^[28]

In 2004, Byrd offered an amendment that would limit the personnel in Plan Colombia, but was defeated in the Senate. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The term Plan Colombia is most often used to refer to controversial U ^[29]

Byrd received a 65% vote rating from the League of Conservation Voters for his support of environmentally friendly legislation. ^[30] Additionally, he received a "liberal" rating of 65. 5% by the National Journal — higher than six other Democratic senators. National Journal is a weekly magazine that reports on the current political environment and emerging political and policy trends ^[31]

In 2006, Byrd received 67% rating from the ACLU for supporting rights-related legislation. The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU) consists of two separate Non-profit organizations the ACLU Foundation a 501(c(3 organization which focuses ^[32]

Race and race relations

In a March 4, 2001 interview with Tony Snow, Byrd said of race relations:

They're much, much better than they've ever been in my lifetime. Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Robert Anthony Snow ( June 1 1955 – July 12 2008) was an American Political commentator, Television news . . I think we talk about race too much. I think those problems are largely behind us. . . I just think we talk so much about it that we help to create somewhat of an illusion. I think we try to have good will. My old mom told me, 'Robert, you can't go to heaven if you hate anybody. ' We practice that. There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time. I'm going to use that word. We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much. ^[33]

Byrd's use of the term white nigger created immediate controversy. When asked about it, Byrd responded,

I apologize for the characterization I used on this program. . . The phrase dates back to my boyhood and has no place in today's society. . . In my attempt to articulate strongly held feelings, I may have offended people. ^[33]

Byrd has since explicitly renounced his earlier views on racial segregation. ^[34][35] Byrd said that he regrets filibustering and voting against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and would change it if he had the opportunity. Origins The bill was introduced by President John F Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11 1963, in which he asked for legislation "giving He has stated that joining the KKK was "the greatest mistake I ever made". ^[34] Byrd has also said that his views changed dramatically after his teenage grandson was killed in a 1982 traffic accident, which put him in a deep emotional valley. "The death of my grandson caused me to stop and think," said Byrd, adding he came to realize that black people love their children as much as he does his. ^[36]

Byrd is the only Senator to have voted against the nominations of both Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas to the United States Supreme Court, the only two African Americans to have been nominated to the court. Thurgood Marshall ( July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993) was an American Jurist and the first African American Clarence Thomas (born June 23, 1948) is an American Jurist. He has been serving as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. Marshall's confirmation vote came in 1967 when Byrd and other segregationist senators were opposed to the idea of a black integrationist being placed on the court. ^[37] In order to gain evidence against Marshall's appointment, Byrd asked FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to look into what Byrd believed to be the possibility that Marshall had either connections to communists or a potential communist past. WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Postnominal initials ^[38] Byrd opposed Thomas because Byrd stated that he was "offended" by Thomas using the phrase "high-tech lynching of uppity blacks" in his defense. Byrd stated that he was "offended by the injection of racism" into the hearing. He called Justice Thomas' comments a mere "diversionary tactic". Byrd commented upon the "racism" issue that Thomas raised by stating that "I (Byrd) thought we were past that stage. " Byrd dismissed Thomas' racism charges by stating that Thomas exhibited "arrogance" and Thomas' comments were "nonsense, nonsense. " Regarding Anita Hill's sexual harassment charges against Thomas, Byrd believed Hill. Anita Faye Hill (born) is a professor of social policy law and women's studies at Brandeis University at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and ^[39] Byrd joined 45 other Democrats in their opposition to Thomas. ^[40] Byrd also opposed some of George W. Bush's judicial and cabinet nominees who were black, notably Federal Judge Janice Rogers Brown and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, known informally as the D Janice Rogers Brown (born May 11, 1949 in Greenville Alabama) is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District Secretary of State is a commonly used title for a Government Official. Condoleezza Rice (born November 14 1954 is the 66th United States Despite his opposition to Brown's appointment, Byrd would later ally himself with the Gang of 14 that would ensure that Brown's nomination would not be filibustered. The Gang of 14 was a term coined to describe the Bipartisan group of Senators in the 109th United States Congress who successfully negotiated a compromise

In the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP)^[41] Congressional Report Card for the 108th Congress (spanning the 2003–2004 congressional session), Byrd was awarded with an approval rating of 100% for favoring the NAACP's position in all 33 bills presented to the United States Senate regarding issues of their concern. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is one of the oldest and most influential Civil rights organizations Only 16 other Senators of the same session matched this approval rating. In June 2005, Byrd^[42] proposed an additional $10 million in federal funding for the Martin Luther King memorial in Washington, D. Martin Luther King Jr ( January 15, 1929 April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, Activist and prominent leader C. , remarking that "With the passage of time, we have come to learn that his Dream was the American Dream, and few ever expressed it more eloquently. "

On May 19, 2008, Senator Byrd endorsed Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primary, over rival Senator Hillary Clinton. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26 1947 is the junior United States Senator from ^[43]

War in Iraq

Byrd with Secretary of Defense-designate Robert Gates, November 30, 2006

Byrd with General David Petraeus, January 23, 2007

In the 107th Congress, Byrd suffered some legislative setbacks, particularly with respect to debates on homeland security. Robert Michael Gates (born September 25 1943) is currently serving as the 22nd United States Secretary of Defense. Events 1700 - Battle of Narva — A Swedish army of 8500 men under Charles XII defeats Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. General David Howell Petraeus, USA (born November 7 1952) is scheduled to become the next Commander U Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The term homeland security refers to the broad national effort by all levels of government to protect its territory from hazards both internal and external natural and man-made Byrd opposed the 2002 law creating the Homeland Security Department, saying it ceded too much authority to the executive branch. He led a filibuster against the resolution granting President George W. Bush broad power to wage a "preemptive" war against Iraq, but he could not get a majority of his own party to vote against cloture and against the resolution. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. In Parliamentary procedure, cloture (ˈkloʊtʃɝ KLO-cher (also called closure, and sometimes a guillotine) is a motion or process aimed at ^[44] He also led the opposition to Bush's bid to win back the power to negotiate trade deals that Congress cannot amend, but lost overwhelmingly. But, in the 108th Congress, Byrd won his party's top seat on the new Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

Byrd was one of the Senate's most outspoken critics of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia

He appeared on March 7, 2003 on CNN's Larry King Live to discuss his U.S. Senate floor speeches against the Iraq War Resolution in 2002. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Cable News Network, usually referred to by its Initialism CNN, is a major English language Television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner Larry King (born November 19, 1933) is an American television/radio host The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives " Iraq Resolution " and " Iraq War Resolution " are popular names for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.

In a speech on March 13 he stated:

"If the United States leads the charge to war in the Persian Gulf, we may get lucky and achieve a rapid victory. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. But then we will face a second war: a war to win the peace in Iraq. This war will last many years and will surely cost hundreds of billions of dollars. In light of this enormous task, it would be a great mistake to expect that this will be a replay of the 1991 war. The stakes are much higher in this conflict. "[3]

On March 19, 2003, when Bush ordered the invasion after receiving U.S. Congress approval, Byrd stated:

"Today I weep for my country. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned. Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. "^[45]

Byrd also criticized Bush for his speech declaring the "end of major combat operations" in Iraq, which Bush made on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Ship history Construction Lincoln' s contract was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding on 27 December 1982 her keel was laid 3 November 1984 at Byrd stated on the Senate floor:

"I do question the motives of a deskbound president who assumes the garb of a warrior for the purposes of a speech. "^[46]

On October 17, 2003, Byrd delivered a speech expressing his concerns about the future of the nation and his unequivocal antipathy to Bush's policies. Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Referencing the Hans Christian Andersen children's tale The Emperor's New Clothes, Byrd said of the president: "the emperor has no clothes. Hans Christian Andersen (ˈhanˀs ˈkʰʁæʂd̥jan ˈɑnɐsn̩ in Danish or simply H "The Emperor's New Clothes" ( Keiserens nye Klæder) is a Fairy tale by Danish Poet and Author Hans Christian Andersen " Byrd further lamented the "sheep-like" behavior of the "cowed Members of this Senate" and called on them to oppose the continuation of a "war based on falsehoods. "

Byrd criticized what he saw as the stifling of dissent: "The right to ask questions, debate, and dissent is under attack. The drums of war are beaten ever louder in an attempt to drown out those who speak of our predicament in stark terms. Even in the Senate, our history and tradition of being the world's greatest deliberative body is being snubbed. This huge spending bill — $87 billion — has been rushed through this chamber in just one month. There were just three open hearings by the Senate Appropriations Committee on $87 billion — $87 for every minute since Jesus Christ was born — $87 billion without a single outside witness called to challenge the administration's line. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) " Finally, Byrd quoted Nazi leader Hermann Göring who stated that rushing to war is easy if the proponent of war portrays opponents as unpatriotic. Hermann Wilhelm Göring (also spelled Goering) (12 January 1893 15 October 1946 was a German Politician, Military leader and a leading member ^[47]

In July 2004, Byrd released the book Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency about the Bush presidency and the war in Iraq. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign

Of the more than 17,000 votes he has cast as a Senator, Byrd says he is proudest of his vote against the Iraq war resolution. ^[48] Byrd has also voted for funding the Iraq war with a timetable for troop withdrawal.

Gang of 14

On May 23, 2005, Byrd was one of fourteen Senators (who became known as the "Gang of 14") to forge a compromise on the use of the judicial filibuster, thus securing up and down votes for the judicial nominees and ending the need for a "nuclear option". Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Gang of 14 was a term coined to describe the Bipartisan group of Senators in the 109th United States Congress who successfully negotiated a compromise A filibuster, or "talking out a bill", is a form of obstruction in a Legislature or other decision-making body The nuclear option, also called the constitutional option, is an attempt by the presiding officer of the United States Senate to end a filibuster by majority Under the agreement, the senators would retain the power to filibuster a judicial nominee in only an "extraordinary circumstance". It ensured that the appellate court nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor) would receive a vote by the full Senate. Court of Appeal, Court of Appeals, and Appellate Division redirect here for a list of specific courts using those titles see Court of Appeal Janice Rogers Brown (born May 11, 1949 in Greenville Alabama) is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District Priscilla Richman Owen (born October 4, 1954) is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. William Holcombe "Bill" Pryor Jr (born April 26 1962, Mobile Alabama, USA) is a federal judge on the United States

2008 Endorsement of Barack Obama

On May 19, 2008, Byrd released a statement endorsing Barack Obama (D-Illinois) for President of the United States. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. One week after the West Virginia Democratic Primary, in which Hillary Clinton defeated Obama by 41. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton (born October 26 1947 is the junior United States Senator from 32%,^[49] Byrd said, "Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support. "^[50] In a written statement, Byrd called Obama "a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq. "

Electoral history

Main article: Electoral history of Robert Byrd

2006 re-election campaign

Main article: West Virginia United States Senate election, 2006

Byrd was sworn in for record ninth term as Senator on January 4, 2007 accompanied with fellow Democratic Senator from West Virginia Jay Rockefeller

After several major Republican figures in the state decided not to run against Byrd, the Republican party convinced John Raese to run for this seat. Electoral history of Robert Byrd, senior United States Senator from West Virginia ( 1959 -present President pro tempore of the United States The West Virginia United States Senate Election of 2006 was held on November 7, 2006. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV (born June 18, 1937) generally known as Jay Rockefeller, has served as a Democratic U John R Raese (born April 10, 1950, in Baltimore Maryland) is a West Virginia businessman and has been the Republican candidate for Raese is the owner of radio stations and a newspaper in West Virginia. He ran unsuccessfully for the U. S. Senate in 1984 against then Governor Jay Rockefeller. John Davison "Jay" Rockefeller IV (born June 18, 1937) generally known as Jay Rockefeller, has served as a Democratic U In 1988, he ran against Governor Arch Moore for the Republican nomination and lost. Arch Alfred Moore Jr (born April 16, 1923) was the Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989

Raese won the May 2006 primary with 58 percent of the vote, defeating five other candidates. Byrd defeated him on November 7, 2006, securing a ninth consecutive term in the Senate. Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

2007 Senate highlights

On July 19, 2007, Sen. Events 711 - Muslim forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by their king Roderic. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Byrd, a self-described dog lover, gave a 25-minute passionate speech against dog fighting, in response to the indictment of football player Michael Vick. Dog fighting is a Fight between game Dogs This Blood sport is utilized for Entertainment and may also create a revenue stream Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26 1980 in Newport News Virginia) is a suspended National Football League (NFL Quarterback under contract Senator Byrd called dog fighting a "brutal, sadistic event motivated by barbarism of the worst sort and cruelty of the worst, worst, worst sadistic kind. One is left wondering: 'Who are the real animals: the creatures inside the ring, or the creatures outside the ring?'"^[51] (At 8:02 - 8:59). In recognition of the speech, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals named Byrd their 2007 Person of the Year. ^[52]

Recently Byrd was found as the fourteenth-most powerful U. S. Senator for 2007, the twelfth most powerful in his party^[53].

2008 medical problems

On Tuesday, February 26, 2008, Senator Byrd was admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for observation following a fall at his home the day before. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Walter Reed National Army Medical Center (WRAMC is the United States Army's medical center on the east coast of the United States. Byrd attended Senate sessions on that Tuesday, but complained of pain and his aides asked him to see the Capitol Physician before he went to the hospital. ^[54] Byrd stayed in the hospital for four days; no broken bones were found. On March 5th, he was readmitted because of his reactions to antibiotics and the need for tests to determine a different course of medication, a statement from his office said. ^[55] Byrd was admitted to the hospital again on June 2, 2008. ^[56]

Family

Byrd's mother, Ada Mae Kirby

• Wife: Erma Ora James Byrd (born 1917 - died March 26, 2006)
• Children: Mona Byrd Fatemi and Marjorie Byrd Moore
• Sons-in-law: Mohammad Fatemi and Jon Moore
• Grandchildren: Erik Byrd Fatemi, Darius Fatemi, and Frederik Fatemi, Michael Moore (deceased), Mona Moore, Mary Anne Moore, and Ashlee Moore
• Great-grandchildren: Caroline Byrd Fatemi, Kathryn Somes Fatemi, Anna Cristina Fatemi, Michael Yoo Fatemi, Emma James Clarkson, and Hannah Byrd Clarkson. Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

Byrd is not related to Harry F. Byrd and Harry F. Byrd, Jr., both former U. Harry Flood Byrd Sr ( June 10, 1887 – October 20, 1966) of Berryville in Clarke County Virginia was an American Harry Flood Byrd Jr (born December 20, 1914) is an American Politician. S. Senators from Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state

Byrd in popular culture

• Byrd has a prominent role in the 2008 Warner Bros. documentary Body of War. Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and Body of War, directed by Ellen Spiro and Phil Donahue, is a 2007 documentary following Tomas Young an Iraq War veteran paralyzed The film chronicles the life of Tomas Young, paralyzed from the waist down after an Iraqi sniper shot him as he was riding in a vehicle in Iraq. Several long clips of Byrd show him passionately arguing against authorizing the use of force in Iraq. Later in the movie, Byrd has a one on one interview with Tomas Young in Byrd's Senate office, with a grand shot of Byrd walking beside the wheelchair-bound Young as they leave the Capitol.
• Byrd, with then-fellow Senator George Allen (R-VA), made a cameo appearance in the movie Gods and Generals, where he played a Confederate general, while Allen played a Confederate officer
• In the Jeffrey Archer novel Shall We Tell the President? Byrd, a Senate Majority Leader, was mentioned as the Senator, possible involvement in assassination plot against President (in first book version Ted Kennedy and later Florentyna Kane), but he was a suspect just because he was in Washington D.C. at a certain time, not because he was a political enemy or had any interest in killing the President. George Felix Allen (born March 8 1952 is a former Republican United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the son of former Gods and Generals is a 2003 Film based on the novel Gods and Generals by Jeffrey Shaara. The Confederate States of America (also called the Confederacy, the Confederate States, and CSA) formed as the government set up from 1861 Jeffrey Howard Archer Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 15 April 1940 is an English Author and former Politician. Shall We Tell The President? is a 1977 book by English author Jeffrey Archer. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (born February 22 1932 is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D

Published writing

• 2005. Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields. ISBN 1-933202-00-9.
• 2004. Losing America: Confronting A Reckless and Arrogant Presidency. ISBN 0-393-05942-1.
• 2004. We Stand Passively Mute: Senator Robert C. Byrd's Iraq Speeches. ISBN 0-9755749-0-6.
• 1995. Senate of the Roman Republic: Addresses on the History of Roman Constitutionalism. ISBN 0-16-058996-7
• 1995. The Senate, 1789–1989: Classic Speeches, 1830–1993, Vol. 3. ISBN 0-16-063257-9
• 1993. The Senate, 1789–1989: Historical Statistics, 1789–1992, Vol. 4. ISBN 0-16-063256-0
• 1991. The Senate, 1789–1989, Vol. 2: Addresses on the History of the United States Senate. ISBN 0-16-006405-8
• 1989. The Senate, 1789–1989, Vol. 1: Addresses on the History of the United States Senate. ISBN 0-16-006391-4

References

External links

• U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, U. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common S. Senate site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• New York Times — Topics: Robert C. Byrd collected news stories and commentary
• SourceWatch Congresspedia — Robert C. Byrd profile
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
• Byrd 2006 for West Virginia, Campaign site

Articles

• If This Is the Senate's Soul... Michael Grunwald, Washington Post, June 18, 2006
• Why did the Post protect Byrd's image? Byron York, The Hill, June 23, 2005
• A Senator's Shame Eric Pianin, Washington Post, June 19, 2005
• The United States Senate designates Robert Byrd as President pro tempore emeritus of the United States Senate The Library of Congress THOMAS, January 15, 2003