SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 45
(By Senators Tomblin, Mr. President, Chafin, Unger, Bailey,
Bowman, Craigo, Snyder, Plymale, Jackson, Wooton, Prezioso,
McCabe, Anderson, Helmick, Fanning, Edgell, Kessler, Minard,
Sharpe, Ross, Mitchell, Love, Hunter, Rowe, Caldwell, Oliverio,
Boley, Burnette and Deem)
Recognizing the Honorable Robert C. Byrd as West Virginian of the
Century.
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd began his public service
with his election to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946
and was reelected in 1948; and
Whereas, In 1950, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd was elected to
the West Virginia Senate; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd was elected to the
United States House of Representatives in 1952 and was reelected in
1954 and 1956; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd was elected to the
United States Senate in 1958, where he continues to serve. He is
the longest-serving United States senator in West Virginia history;
and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has earned the respect
and admiration of his fellow colleagues in the United States Congress with his knowledge and expertise of the United States
Constitution, the legislative process and rules; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has held more leadership
positions in the United States Senate than any other senator in
Senate history and has cast more votes than any other member in the
210-year history of the Senate; and
Whereas, The History of the United States Senate, which he
authored, will stand forever as a monumental work on that august
body; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has been selected as
West Virginian of the Year three times and was chosen by U. S. News
and World Report poll of American leaders as the most influential
American on four occasions; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd received the first "We
the People" award from the National Constitution Center in
Philadelphia; and
Whereas, In January of 1997, a ten-foot bronze statue of the
Honorable Robert C. Byrd was unveiled at the state capitol in
Charleston to honor his long and dedicated public service, not only
to the people of West Virginia, but to all Americans as well; and
Whereas, It is fitting that the long and distinguished public service of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd should be recognized and he
is deserving of the designation as West Virginian of the Century;
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the public service of West
Virginia's longest-serving United States senator, the Honorable
Robert C. Byrd; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate is proud that one of its own
has reached such a pinnacle of national respect and admiration;
and, be it
Further Resolved, It is fitting that the Honorable Robert C.
Byrd be designated as West Virginian of the Century; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward
a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Robert C. Byrd.