Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) passed away early Monday morning. At age 92, Byrd was the longest serving senator in history, and he devoted 57 years of congressional service to the citizens of West Virginia. Elected in 1952, he served with 11 presidents and cast more than 18,500 votes during his tenure.
During his extensive legislative history, Byrd witnessed and experienced countless changes and events in our country and our political processes. Both parties viewed him as a respected leader. He enjoyed his role as keeper of the Senate’s institutional memory, offering classes on chamber rules for freshman senators at the start of each Congress.
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) now replaces Byrd in the position of president pro tempore. The position offers no further authority in controlling the Senate’s agenda but does put Inouye in the presidential line of succession behind Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and it also grants him additional security from the U.S. Capitol Police.
As a champion of earmarking who secured more than $1 billion for the state of West Virginia, Byrd never faced defeat in an election and was viewed as a public servant by his constituents. Byrd’s political history isn’t cast without a shadow, though. Most of us are aware of his involvement with the Ku Klux Klan and his 14-hour filibuster against the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Recognizing his youthful mistakes, he sought out many apologies and acknowledged his faults. Byrd was an ardent supporter of the legislation making Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday, and he endorsed Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Byrd’s advocacy and support of civil rights and women’s rights appeared later on in his political career, but nevertheless, his efforts and openness to change will be a testament to the future.
Byrd’s life was devoted to public service and Senate traditions. I think we can all take a step back to appreciate and admire his commitment and the legacy he has impressed upon the Senate for generations to come.
This post is by Jennifer Schwope, AAUW Public Policy Fellow. Jenny is a senior at the College of St. Benedict in central Minnesota. She is pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies with a Management minor.
