SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 403

(By Senators Tomblin (Mr. President), Bowman, Browning, Chafin, Edgell, D. Facemire, Fanning, Foster, Green, Helmick, Jenkins, Kessler, Laird, McCabe, Minard, Oliverio, Palumbo, Plymale, Prezioso, Snyder, Stollings, Unger, Wells, White, Williams, Yost, Barnes, Boley, Caruth, Deem, K. Facemyer, Guills, Hall and Sypolt)


Recognizing the Honorable Robert C. Byrd as a distinguished public servant, dedicated statesman and the longest-serving member of the United States Congress by designating November 18, 2009, as "Robert C. Byrd Day".

Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1946 and 1948. He was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1950 and to the United States House of Representatives in 1952, 1954 and 1956; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has served as a member of the United States Senate with continuous service since January 3, 1959; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has cast more votes than any other member of the United States Senate, including more than 15,580 roll call votes in his career, with a 97.9 percent attendance record during his five decades in the United States Senate; and
Whereas, In honor of his accomplishments and service to West Virginia, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd was named the "West Virginian of the Year" in 1974, 1977, 1990 and 2002. He was named "West Virginian of the 20th Century" on May 31, 2001, by a Concurrent Resolution of the West Virginia Legislature; and
Whereas, Throughout his remarkable life and distinguished career, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd has fearlessly defended the United States Constitution. In 2004, he worked to enact federal legislation designating September 17th of each year as "Constitution and Citizenship Day"; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has been elected to more leadership positions in the United States Senate than any other senator in the history of our great nation; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd became the longest- serving member of the United States Senate on June 12, 2006; and
Whereas, On November 18, 2009, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd has become the longest-serving member of the United States Congress with 56 years, 320 days of continuous and dedicated service, surpassing Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona, who served 56 years, 319 days; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the Honorable Robert C. Byrd as a distinguished public servant, dedicated statesman and the longest-serving member of the United States Congress by designating November 18, 2009, as "Robert C. Byrd Day"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby acknowledges the historic significance of the accomplishment of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd on being designated the longest-serving member of the United States Congress in the history of our great nation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That November 18, 2009, be designated as "Robert C. Byrd Day" in recognition of this momentous and historic designation; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, the Library of Congress and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.