Byrd set to become longest-serving senator

[cal04]

Robert Byrd intends to mark the day he becomes the longest-serving U.S. senator next week much as he has the others in the last half century -- by working. "Records are fine," said Byrd, a Democrat who has held a number of Senate leadership posts. "But what's important is what I do for the people of West Virginia. They are the ones who sent me here 48 years ago."

At 88, Byrd looks frail and walks with two canes. Yet he remains one of the most respected voices in Congress and a passionate defender of the U.S. Constitution. He evolved from being a young member of the Ku Klux Klan to a white-haired advocate of civil rights and an opponent of the Iraq war who has drawn praise from liberals. He is on track to set the record for Senate longevity on Monday, which would be his 17,327th day in office. That would pass the mark by South Carolina's Strom Thurmond, who retired in 2003 at 100, which made him the oldest senator too.

Will Byrd ever reach that mark as well? "I have no idea. The Lord could call me home tonight," he said, seated in his office near photos of his wife of 68 years, Erma, who died in March. "I love to serve. I love the Senate. I love the Constitution. If I could live another 100 years, I'd like to continue in the Senate," he said. Byrd is running for re-election in November to an unprecedented ninth, six-year term against Republican John Raese, a successful businessman.

While Byrd is expected to win, critics have tried to portray him as out of touch with his state. His age could hurt him if he makes a verbal or physical stumble. Said Byrd: "The people of West Virginia have never let me down, and I intend to never let them down."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060606/pl_nm/byrd_dc

[NicRic]

1. Bush could take alot of lessons for the great Senator !

Years ago when things wgere much differant ,Senator Bryd was a member of the KKK , however he has come forward ,apoligized to the Africian American community in referance to his past mistakes ,He has shown how a human being can grow as a person and realize the mistakes of their past even I, in the 60's as a very young man because of the way some of the elders in my family talked abou minorities said things I now regret and know to be wrong .I know God loves all his people ,and Mr. Bush who claims to be such a good Christian ,has alot to repent for, he bettter start right away because he is digging a hole for himself and taking our entire countr into it along with him ! People who lack the deepness of thought to admit when they are wrong ,are some of the worst amoung us and for our president to be like that is a disgrace to our contry ,and in the end will cost us dearly !

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Congratulations, Senator!