A Brief Eulogy for Senator Byrd

[Seneca]

Reflecting on the changing public opinion of the war in Iraq:

"The people are becoming more and more aware that we were hoodwinked, that the leaders of this country misrepresented or exaggerated the necessity for invading Iraq."

Yes, back in 1964, Byrd took part in the unsuccessful filibuster against the landmark civil rights bill. Yes, he was an early supporter of the Vietnam War. Yes, he defended his home state's coal interests over that of environmentalists. But his long and complicated evolution as a senator led him to vote against the IWR in 2003, let us remember. If you were lucky enough to see his floor speech on C-SPAN, it was a moment in Senate history not to be forgotten.

Ultimately, he was always a defender of the Senate and its traditions. He wasn't going to let that illegitimate squatter in the White House usurp congressional authority without a fight. Although it's too bad that most of the rest of Congress was all too willing to do otherwise.

He was a walking encyclopedia of Senate history, who put his vast knowledge and research into print by publishing a four-volume history of the institution.

He called for banning laptops on the Senate floor. It will be interesting to see how long that ban remains.

Fittingly, in one of his last legislative triumphs, he got a bill passed which requires schools across the country to teach about the Constitution on September 17, the day it was adopted in 1787. It was a day he held with as much reverence as many Americans do for the 4th of July.



Rest in peace, Senator Byrd. :patriot: