Sen. Byrd is dead

[LUVMBDiesels]

Sen. Byrd, longest-serving member of Congress, dies

W.Va. lawmaker was elected in 1952 and had cast more than 18,000 votes


WASHINGTON — Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, a fiery orator versed in the classics and a hard-charging power broker who steered billions of federal dollars to the state of his Depression-era upbringing, died Monday. He was 92.
A spokesman for the family said Byrd "died peacefully" at about 3 a.m. at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia. His health had been failing for several years.
Byrd, a Democrat, was the longest-serving senator in history, holding his seat for more than 50 years. He was the Senate's majority leader for six of those years and was third in the line of succession to the presidency, behind House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Byrd was elected to an unprecedented ninth term in November 2006. His colleagues elected him to more leadership positions than any senator in history. He cast more than 18,000 votes and had a nearly 98 percent attendance record over the course of his career.
"It has been my greatest privilege to serve with Robert C. Byrd in the United States Senate. I looked up to him, I fought next to him, and I am deeply saddened that he is gone," fellow West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller said in a statement.
"He leaves a void that simply can never be filled. But I am lifted by the knowledge of his deep and abiding faith in God, I have joy in the thought of him reunited with his dear Erma."
Byrd had been in frail health in recent years and was hospitalized three times in 2009. He was confined to a wheelchair, but was present and voted "yes" for final Senate passage of the health care reform bill in March.







Man I am glad I did not move back to WV! The gravy train just derailed. No more Sen. Byrd Highways, swimming pool, schools, parks, etc etc...