Sen. Robert C. Byrd is still setting records.
Most people certainly are aware that Byrd is already the longest serving senator in United States history. But today he reaches yet another milestone in his long and distinguished career. Today he becomes the longest serving member of Congress in history. He surpassed Carl Hayden when one combines his terms in the U. S. Senate as well as in the House of Representatives.
Hayden served in the House from 1912 to 1927 and then in the Senate from 1927 to 1969. That period covers 56 years and 319 days for the Democrat from Arizona.
Byrd served in the House of Representatives from 1953-59 and has been in the U.S. Senate ever since. During nearly half of that span he has served as the majority leader.
And would you believe the West Virginia senator will observe another birthday on Friday as he turns 92 years old?
Gov. Joe Manchin and state lawmakers have some celebrations planned in Charleston today at the state capitol, although Byrd probably will remain in Washington. He is still rather weak following an extended hospital visit or two.
He reappeared on the U.S. Senate floor back on Oct. 19 to manage a $44.1 billon homeland security spending bill. He said then that “there are some people in this country who have become complacent about the threat of another attack,” referring to the horrors of 9/11. “Don’t count me as one of them.” He has apparently made great strides since it appeared he might be near death in mid-summer.
Byrd stepped down as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee prior to his 91st birthday. But while he was in that post, West Virginia was the recipient of huge sums of money for roads, colleges and universities and economic development projects.
One of our favorite comments about the senator was that he might as well move the nation’s capitol to West Virginia since just about everything else has moved here.
As we have stated on previous occasions, West Virginians owe Sen. Byrd a big round of thanks for all he has done for the betterment of the Mountain State.
Opinion
Sen. Byrd hits another record in distinguished political career
- Opinion
-
-
We must never forget sacrifice that protects U.S. freedom
War at its best has birthed and protected our American freedom. War at its worst has separated loved ones and often taken the life of the one serving.
America annually sets aside the last Monday in May as a time of remembrance, memorial and gratitude for these patriots who unselfishly gave the ultimate gift for our freedom. -
Marriage issue: Both sides making political hay
Words can be defined in many ways.
And many times, we define words based on our values, past experiences and opinions.
For example, what does “marriage” mean? -
Three Rivers Festival great event to kick off summer season
Can you believe that the current festival under way at Palatine Park is No. 33 in a long line of events?
The West Virginia Three Rivers Festival is with us once again. -
Excellence the motto at White Hall Elementary
If you want excellence, you must practice excellence. No one rises to low expectations.
It’s a life motto we all should live by. -
Bill Stewart was indeed ‘special person’ as coach and off the field
Bill Stewart enjoyed the highest of highs during his time as West Virginia University’s head football coach.
Stewart, who died at age 59 on Monday of an apparent heart attack while participating in a golf tournament at Stonewall Resort, coached the Mountaineers to a 48-28 win over heavily favored Oklahoma in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. -
State economy being altered by booming natural gas era
A new horizontal well in Tyler County produced an amazing 7 million cubic feet of natural gas in a single day, along with 650 barrels of valuable liquids: ethane, propane, butane and pentane.
-
‘Operation Blue Haze’ is example of cooperation in war on drugs
Amazing things happen when agencies pool their resources and work together.
And a shining example of that is “Operation Blue Haze,” which targeted street-level, mid-level and upper-level drug dealers and resulted in arrest warrants filed for 53 people on drug, trafficking and weapons charges. -
How can an inmate run for president?
Anyone can grow up to be president.
A boy who lived in a one-room log cabin with his family in Kentucky — Abraham Lincoln. -
County Project Graduation must have support and volunteers
Certainly Fairmont will be having another of its famous all-night student parties following graduation this year.Well, it will, won’t it?We hope so.
-
Exercise control over ballot access to make elections serious business
Elections are serious business.Candidates make their best pitch to voters, who have the power to hire and fire government leaders.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
We must never forget sacrifice that protects U.S. freedom
