Senator Byrd soars to Senate record

by: Carnacki

Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 08:47:33 AM EST

Politico:

...the longest-serving member of Congress ever - a capstone on a remarkable career in which the adopted son of a coal miner propelled himself from poverty to the pinnacle of legislative power, where he could, did and still does send billions of federal dollars back across the Blue Ridge to help build his home state of West Virginia.

Byrd's stat sheet speaks for itself:

• Served 20,774 days - or 56 years and 10½ months - in Congress

• Attended 18,582 Senate roll call votes

• Elected to Senate nine times

• Served under 11 presidents

• Held five jobs in Democratic leadership

• At age 91, sits third in line to the presidency

AP:

WASHINGTON - West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd has become the longest-serving lawmaker in congressional history, a milestone to be marked Wednesday with a Senate resolution.

"I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days," 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.

Update by Carnacki

Former Byrd staffer and now U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV03):

"Senator Robert C. Byrd has made a career of setting the standard for his fellow Members of Congress to emulate and today, he has, again, set the bar of Congressional service one notch higher."

"This is a history-making day.  But Senator Byrd's record-setting achievement is not gauged best by the number of years, days, and hours he has spent in office - though he could tell us to the minute.  It is, instead, more correctly measured by the wealth of hope his work has generated, the vast number of lives his efforts have touched and improved, and the multiple generations of citizens his struggles from virtual orphan to the heights of political power have inspired."  

"His work, in short, has been monumental.   His efforts have provided for public services and fundamental structures - modern highways, safer bridges, veterans centers, clean water systems - but these fall far short of the greatest and most lasting monument that he has given the people of West Virginia, his devotion and tireless work to make their lives richer."

"I am proud and awed - though not in the least surprised -  to be able to congratulate West Virginia's senior Senator on becoming the longest serving Member in the history of the U.S. Congress.  And I look forward to many more record-breaking years of Robert C. Byrd serving in the U.S. Senate and setting a wise and fruitful course for the future of West Virginia and the Nation."

United Mine Workers of America:

United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:
"For nearly 57 years, Sen. Robert C. Byrd has represented the people of West Virginia with the kind of courage, conviction and strength rarely seen in the history of American politics. His stature in Congress ranks with the finest legislators our nation has ever produced. That is not only due to his tenure as the longest-serving member of Congress in the history of our nation, but even more so to his immense skills as a legislator, orator and leader.
"He has been, and remains, the best friend coal miners and their families have ever had in Congress. From continually fighting for better health and safety in America's mines to ensuring that our nation kept its promise of health care to retired miners and their widows, Sen. Byrd's eloquent voice and masterful legislative skills have meant that millions of miners and their families have had a better, more secure life during his tenure in Washington.
"One doesn't have to travel very far anywhere in West Virginia to see specific and concrete examples of Sen. Byrd's dedication to our state. Indeed, the reason one can travel with ease at all in many parts of West Virginia is due to Sen. Byrd's efforts to improve the transportation network throughout the state.
"It is no stretch at all to say that the lives of all West Virginian have been improved because we had the good sense to send Robert C. Byrd to Washington to fight for us for the last 57 years. I look forward to continuing to work with him as we struggle to meet the many challenges that face UMWA members and all West Virginians today. With Sen. Byrd on our side, we will prevail."