Byrd in his beloved Senate chamber

by: Carnacki

Thu Jul 01, 2010 at 14:49:12 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- The Senate opened its doors for a final time Thursday for Robert C. Byrd, the West Virginian of humble origins who became a Senate fixture for nearly a quarter of the nation's history.

A military honor guard carried Byrd's casket up the Capitol steps, past the senator's portrait in a reception room and into the Senate chamber, where he was to lie in repose for six hours, allowing members of Congress and the public, many not born when he first entered the Senate 51 years ago, to pay their respects.

New York Times:

The flag-draped casket of Mr. Byrd was positioned on the Lincoln Catafalque in the well of the Senate, where for decades Mr. Byrd had argued his case as he sought money for his poor state of West Virginia, challenged presidents, opposed the Iraq war and sought to uphold the traditions and trappings of the Senate.

"Lord, we appreciate his wit and wisdom, his stories and music, as well as his indefatigable commitment to the principles of freedom that made American great," Dr. Barry C. Black, the Senate chaplain, said during a prayer in a private ceremony for senators and family before the doors to the Senate chamber were opened.

Byrd's flag draped coffin on the Senate floor is the Wall Street Journal's Photo of the Day.