Sen. Byrd "was born into wrenching poverty," President Obama said Monday, "but educated himself to become an authoritative scholar, respected leader, and unparalleled champion of our Constitution." (Photo Credit: Getty Images/File)
President Obama issued a statement Monday about the death of Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia.
(Read Obama's full statement after the jump)
I was saddened to hear this morning that the people of West Virginia have lost a true champion, the United States Senate has lost a venerable institution, and America has lost a voice of principle and reason with the passing of Robert C. Byrd.Senator Byrd’s story was uniquely American. He was born into wrenching poverty, but educated himself to become an authoritative scholar, respected leader, and unparalleled champion of our Constitution. He scaled the summit of power, but his mind never strayed from the people of his beloved West Virginia. He had the courage to stand firm in his principles, but also the courage to change over time.
He was as much a part of the Senate as the marble busts that line its chamber and its corridors. His profound passion for that body and its role and responsibilities was as evident behind closed doors as it was in the stemwinders he peppered with history. He held the deepest respect of members of both parties, and he was generous with his time and advice, something I appreciated greatly as a young senator.
We take solace in the fact that he is reunited with his wife of nearly 69 years, Erma; and our thoughts and prayers are with their daughters, their grandchildren and great grandchildren, and all the people of West Virginia who loved Robert C. Byrd.
From CNN Politics
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totally fascinating life
God bless you, Mr. President. This is a sad day for all West Virginians, and your words are appreciated by this WV lady.
Thank you for your service, Senator Byrd. My condolences to your family – rest in peace, Sir!
Mr. Byrd were an institution in the senate a man among men a true American. My condole to his family.
While I am truly saddened by his loss, I do strongly believe we need term limits, I have been married for 36 years, have two children and three grandchildren and this guy was in the senate before I was born.. Think about it. How long should these people stay?
Robert Byrd was a bigot. These previous posts show how pathetic and hypocritical democrats are. If Robert Byrd was a Republican, he would be vilified and would probably have been forced to resign from the senate. Byrd filibustered the 1964 Voting Rights Act and opposed the army segregating, Byrd was a Grand Wizard in the KKK.
Rest in peace Sen Byrd you epitomize the man that pulled himself up by his bootstraps. You spoke loooong and consistently on behalf of those that had little to no voice: coal miners, and the rest of the forgotten citizenry of West Virginia. While I did not agree with some of your 'philosophies' I do hope that you've been reunited with your beloved wife of so many years.
Robert Byrd was a bigot. These previous posts show how pathetic and hypocritical democrats are. If Robert Byrd was a Republican, he would be vilified and would probably have been forced to resign from the senate. Byrd filibustered the 1964 Voting Rights Act and opposed the army segregating, Byrd was a Grand Wizard in the KKK.
I shall never fight in the armed forces with a Negro by my side… Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds
-Robert Byrd
Please don't tell me he was an "institution" or a great American. How many media outlets will have the "courage" to post the above quote in his obituary?
I'm sure senator Byrd did plenty of great things for the US during his time in the senate...However this man was a member of the KKK and an opponent of the Civil rights movement and we should celebrate him as a hero?....And I white male, go figure!!!
And his KKK ties are completely forgotten. Because he is a democrat?
Thank you for your service, I think... $13 TRILLION in debt with trillion dollar deficts as the eye can see. Social security and medicare in insolvency with over $100 TRILLION is unfunded liability.
Byrd and Kennedy, the poster children for TERM LIMITS. FIFTY ONE YEARS is several DECADES TOO MUCH.
Nice nose hairs....which party has the old white racist males again?
Sorry if we can't feel sorry for the passing of a liberal, socialist racist. The libs can forgive anyone who votes their way....the rest of us can't.
Senator Byrd did love his state, his country, the Congress and our Constitution.
I am a Democrat and I can't help but believe that Senator Byrd was disappointed in the leadership of our Party ... especially Senator Reid, who can't seem to get essential legislation through the Senate in spite of a healthy majority of Democrats. Congress' failure to pass Medicaid funding has already led to devastating cuts in safety net services.
What's worse is that the GOP members of Congress seem determined to block everything. How long will voters allow this Hate Obama crowd to destroy our country?
"While I am truly saddened by his loss, I do strongly believe we need term limits, I have been married for 36 years, have two children and three grandchildren and this guy was in the senate before I was born.. Think about it. How long should these people stay?"
As long as their constituants keep voting them into office, that's how long. Just like it says in a little thing we call the Constitution.
May he rest in peace. I will not insult him personally as he cannot defend himself.....
but w jones...
"a man among men a true American" ..... are you refering to the same person that was in the KKK at one time?
Of course Obama failed to mention Byrd's association with the KKK. He was an Imperial Cyclops or some such. Must have slipped Obama's mind.
A Life Well Served....My condolences to your family
Join the KKK and become a politician!
Democraps always show their true colors!
I'm guessing everyone is forgetting his "colorful" adventures in the 1940's. Bear in mind that he was in his mid to late 20's during his Klan years. Certainly not a "young man" as the papers like to say. Not a loss to politics or humanity- not even close.
And also uniquely democrat, where even the historical fact of being a Klansman can be hidden, forgiven and all but denied just so long as they get another lib vote in the Senate. How about a little consistency?
I wonder if he'll be buried in his Klan sheets?
is the unique portion that he was a member of the KKK?
there are very few people that have ever been in the KKK!
To honor the man, perhaps the Senate should rewrite the rules to end the tyranny of a minority. The filibuster was always a tool of last resort to prevent the tyranny of the majority – but McConnell and Co have used it as a bludgeon to stop anything the Democrats propose. Presumably, they will then use this paralysis to paint the Democrats as a do-nothing party.
Hey Obama, nice words to a man who hated you just for the color of your skin. Don't sugar coat this guy, he was a racist pig.