Nov. 21, 2009
Celebrating a True West Virginia Living Legend: U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- This week, West Virginia celebrated one of the most significant and monumental milestones in our state and nation’s history, as U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd became the longest serving member of Congress. Nov. 18, 2009, marked the official day that Sen. Byrd eclipsed one of the most prestigious honors a public servant can attain. Nov. 18, now known in West Virginia as Robert C. Byrd Day, is truly special because many people across this state know just how much time, effort and sincerity Sen. Byrd has put into his work. His deep admiration and respect for the Constitution and his passion for this state and nation are second-to-none and exemplify qualities of a true American statesman.
I was truly honored to be joined by so many of Sen. Byrd’s closest friends, colleagues, state and local officials and citizens to honor our beloved senior senator. The event was one of the most memorable and fitting tributes that I have attended since becoming governor. Although the Senator could not join us in Charleston, he did, however, spend his day in a very familiar setting - on the U.S. Senate floor - where many of his colleagues honored his historic achievement.
Sen. Byrd’s presence on Capitol Hill has spanned 11 different U.S. presidents, and his sheer influence and knowledge has benefited many people and public officials. I have been privileged to call Sen. Byrd a very dear friend, mentor and trusted colleague.
For more than 56 years, the people West Virginia have trusted Sen. Byrd to deliver for them, and, he has. We are truly fortunate to have someone of his caliber and expertise fighting for us in Washington. Sen. Byrd has helped make possible some things we might take for granted in our state, such as roads, water, sewer, new schools, economic development projects, homeland security funding and bridges, among countless others, have an impact on our quality of life each and every day.
This week, was not the first time Sen. Byrd broke a record, here are a few others:
• He is the only West Virginian to have served in both Houses of the West Virginia Legislature and both Houses of the U.S. Congress.
• He is the first public official in West Virginia to have won all of the state’s 55 counties in a contested election.
• He is the only person elected to nine full-terms in the U.S. Senate.
• He has cast more roll call votes than any other U.S. Senator.
• He presided over the Senate for the longest continuous period in history (21 hours, 8 minutes, March 7-8, 1960).
• He is the first senator to complete a comprehensive history of the U.S. Senate based on his own insights, recollections, and the work of scholars.
Today, we say “thank you” and “Happy Birthday” to Sen. Byrd! West Virginia truly appreciates what this great West Virginian has done. And, we take time this week to salute our state’s true living legend.
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Celebrating a True West Virginia Living Legend: U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- This week, West Virginia celebrated one of the most significant and monumental milestones in our state and nation’s history, as U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd became the longest serving member of Congress. Nov. 18, 2009, marked the official day that Sen. Byrd eclipsed one of the most prestigious honors a public servant can attain. Nov. 18, now known in West Virginia as Robert C. Byrd Day, is truly special because many people across this state know just how much time, effort and sincerity Sen. Byrd has put into his work. His deep admiration and respect for the Constitution and his passion for this state and nation are second-to-none and exemplify qualities of a true American statesman.
I was truly honored to be joined by so many of Sen. Byrd’s closest friends, colleagues, state and local officials and citizens to honor our beloved senior senator. The event was one of the most memorable and fitting tributes that I have attended since becoming governor. Although the Senator could not join us in Charleston, he did, however, spend his day in a very familiar setting - on the U.S. Senate floor - where many of his colleagues honored his historic achievement.
Sen. Byrd’s presence on Capitol Hill has spanned 11 different U.S. presidents, and his sheer influence and knowledge has benefited many people and public officials. I have been privileged to call Sen. Byrd a very dear friend, mentor and trusted colleague.
For more than 56 years, the people West Virginia have trusted Sen. Byrd to deliver for them, and, he has. We are truly fortunate to have someone of his caliber and expertise fighting for us in Washington. Sen. Byrd has helped make possible some things we might take for granted in our state, such as roads, water, sewer, new schools, economic development projects, homeland security funding and bridges, among countless others, have an impact on our quality of life each and every day.
This week, was not the first time Sen. Byrd broke a record, here are a few others:
• He is the only West Virginian to have served in both Houses of the West Virginia Legislature and both Houses of the U.S. Congress.
• He is the first public official in West Virginia to have won all of the state’s 55 counties in a contested election.
• He is the only person elected to nine full-terms in the U.S. Senate.
• He has cast more roll call votes than any other U.S. Senator.
• He presided over the Senate for the longest continuous period in history (21 hours, 8 minutes, March 7-8, 1960).
• He is the first senator to complete a comprehensive history of the U.S. Senate based on his own insights, recollections, and the work of scholars.
Today, we say “thank you” and “Happy Birthday” to Sen. Byrd! West Virginia truly appreciates what this great West Virginian has done. And, we take time this week to salute our state’s true living legend.
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