Remembering Robert Byrd
June 28th 2010 20:33
Amazing what you find when you look at the life and career of some people. It was no different when I stopped to reflect on the longevity of an American patriot, Robert Byrd. You may not have always agreed with him or thought that he was off his rocker on many occasions (many of us remember his speech on the Senate floor about Bingo his dog and how loyal and faithful he was). West Virginians can say that Robert Byrd was a loyal and faithful representative to the people he served. He had the ability of getting millions of dollars from earmarks for the state, which is how Byrd earned the name the “King of Pork”. Many of the projects that Byrd obtained earmarks for bear his name today. Wasteful spending or a way to help his state get federal dollars for projects since it is the poorest state in the country.
Robert Byrd was born in North Wilksboro, North Carolina on 20th November, 1917. His birth name given by his mother was Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr. Unfortunately a year after his birth the now Robert Byrd’s mother, Ada Mae (née Kirby) Sale, died from the flu in the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Cornelius Sale Sr. could not care for the children and according to the wishes of his wife Ada gave the children to family members to care and raise them. Cornelius Calvin Sale Jr. was given to Titus and Vlurma Byrd an aunt and uncle. The later adopted him and changed his name to Robert Carlyle Byrd. Robert grew up as part of their family in West Virginia. Robert Byrd was well educated. He was valedictorian of Mark Twain High School. In 1937 Robert married Emma Ora James, his high school sweetheart. He eventually attended Beckley College, Concord College, Morris Harvey College, and Marshall College, all in West Virginia
Robert Byrd was first elected to the senate in 1958 as a democrat from the state of West Virginia. He was re-elected in 1964, 1970, 1976 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006 making him the longest living senator to serve. He served on many committees. His ccommittee assignments were
• Committee on Appropriations He chaired this committee from 1989 to 2001.
o Subcommittee on Defense
o Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
o Subcommittee on Homeland Security (Chairman)
o Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
o Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
o Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Armed Services
o Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
o Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
o Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on the Budget
Committee on Rules and Administration
Byrd served for a period as the Democratic whip (1971-1977). He was also the Majority Leader (1977-80 and 1987-88) and Minority Leader from 1981-1986 of the Senate.
Robert Byrd was a controversial modern day political figure for he was known as a supporter of the Ku Klux Klan and often made reference to the organizations place in history and its need to be re-established. Byrd was also strongly opposed to the civil rights movement. In his later years Senator Byrd recanted his opposition to the Civil Rights Act but was fiercely opposed to the Iraq and Afghan Wars.
Some will remember his long but eloquent speeches on the floor of the Senate, some for remember him speaking about his dog on the floor of the Senate, others for being the only democrat to vote to censor President Bill Clinton or as the author of the reconciliation process that was deemed controversial in passing the health care reform legislation. Whatever your political views, party or beliefs someone who has the desire and love of serving the people of West Virginia, who went to work singing every day carrying a dog eared copy of the U.S. Constitution is someone who truly enjoyed his job. Most of us envy him for that!!
References:
Byrd, Robert C (2005). Robert C. Byrd : child of the Appalachian coalfields. Morgantown: West Virginia University Press. ISBN 1-933202-00-9
Senator Robert C. Byrd Official U.S. Senate Website
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
A Senator's Shame Eric Pianin, The Washington Post, June 19, 2005
Robert Byrd was first elected to the senate in 1958 as a democrat from the state of West Virginia. He was re-elected in 1964, 1970, 1976 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006 making him the longest living senator to serve. He served on many committees. His ccommittee assignments were
o Subcommittee on Defense
o Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
o Subcommittee on Homeland Security (Chairman)
o Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
o Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
o Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee on Armed Services
o Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities
o Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
o Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on the Budget
Committee on Rules and Administration
Byrd served for a period as the Democratic whip (1971-1977). He was also the Majority Leader (1977-80 and 1987-88) and Minority Leader from 1981-1986 of the Senate.
Robert Byrd was a controversial modern day political figure for he was known as a supporter of the Ku Klux Klan and often made reference to the organizations place in history and its need to be re-established. Byrd was also strongly opposed to the civil rights movement. In his later years Senator Byrd recanted his opposition to the Civil Rights Act but was fiercely opposed to the Iraq and Afghan Wars.
Some will remember his long but eloquent speeches on the floor of the Senate, some for remember him speaking about his dog on the floor of the Senate, others for being the only democrat to vote to censor President Bill Clinton or as the author of the reconciliation process that was deemed controversial in passing the health care reform legislation. Whatever your political views, party or beliefs someone who has the desire and love of serving the people of West Virginia, who went to work singing every day carrying a dog eared copy of the U.S. Constitution is someone who truly enjoyed his job. Most of us envy him for that!!
References:
Byrd, Robert C (2005). Robert C. Byrd : child of the Appalachian coalfields. Morgantown: West Virginia University Press. ISBN 1-933202-00-9
Senator Robert C. Byrd Official U.S. Senate Website
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
A Senator's Shame Eric Pianin, The Washington Post, June 19, 2005
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