CHARLESTON — Beneath a life-sized statue of history’s longest-serving U.S. lawmaker, West Virginia officials were paying tribute to Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
Gov. Joe Manchin told a crowd of more than 200 in the state Capitol Wednesday that West Virginians have never lost confidence in the senior senator, who has been in Congress since 1953, with the last five decades spent in the Senate.
Manchin said Byrd was the first politician to ever win a majority of votes in all 55 counties in a contested election.
Manchin says that proves Byrd’s appeal to Democrats, Republicans and independent voters alike.
The tribute to Byrd includes an exhibit in the Capitol. Photos from throughout his career sit alongside pieces of memorabilia, including his famous fiddle.
Byrd, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1952, and then to the U.S. Senate in 1958, has served West Virginia for 56 years, 320 days. That surpasses the record set by Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona, who served from 1912 to 1969.
The senator was honored during a ceremony at the Capitol, at the foot of the statue dedicated when Byrd was named “West Virginian of the 20th Century.”
His accomplishments in Washington are legendary. He served as Senate majority whip from 1971 to 1977, Senate minority leader from 1981 to 1987, and Senate majority leader from 1977 to 1981 and again from 1987 to 1989. Byrd is the current president pro tempore of the Senate, a position he has held four times. He is currently third in the presidential line of succession, behind Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant and Manchin signed a proclamation at the ceremony marking the occasion.
“It is such an honor to sign this proclamation for Sen. Byrd,” Tennant said. “It’s really impossible to thank him for everything he has done for our state. He has represented us admirably, and I congratulate him on becoming the longest serving member in the history of the United State Congress.”
Manchin said Byrd possesses a “strong moral compass.”
“What a remarkable national milestone we are celebrating today,” Manchin said. “Our senior senator becomes the longest serving member of Congress in the history of the United States government.”
State Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and Speaker of the House of Delegates Rick Thompson each read proclamations passed the day Byrd became the longest serving member of Congress.
This week marks two milestones for Byrd. He turns 92 on Friday. The ceremony ended with Manchin, First Lady Gayle Manchin, Tennant, her daughter Delaney, and other state leaders singing “Happy Birthday.”
Manchin ended the song by adding: “And many more!”
