Senator Robert
C. Byrd*s Remarks on the
Occasion of His 18,000th Vote in the
U.S. Senate
"I am humbled at the attention being paid to this vote.
After all, each Senator has a responsibility to vote. The people of
West Virginia expect me to do the job that they sent me here to do,
and I am doing it. This 18,000th roll call vote is a testament to
their faith in me, and my work for them.
"I love this Senate.
I love the Senate for its rules and its precedents, and for the difference
that it can make in people*s lives. The Senate was viewed by the Framers
as a place where mature wisdom would reside. It was intended to serve
as a check on both the House of Representatives and the Executive.
The longer terms, the older age requirements, the special functions
delegated to the Senate regarding treaties, appointments, impeachment
-- all of these are indicative of intent by the Framers to have the
Senate be the stabilizer, the fence, the check on attempts at tyranny,
and the calmer of political passions. Partisanship was not viewed
as necessary or constructive in that day and time. Nor, might I say,
is total devotion to partisanship constructive in this day and time.
"I
have served in this chamber for nearly five decades. Times have changed.
The world has changed. But our responsibilities and duties as Senators
have not. We have a responsibility to the people to make our country
a better place. The people send us here to do a job. They do not send
us here to score political points or to advance our personal agenda.
*If
I could have one wish as I cast this 18,000th vote, it would be that
the Senate could put aside the political games, roll up our sleeves,
and get back to work for the people of America."
MILESTONE: BYRD CASTS 18,000TH VOTE IN U.S. SENATE
Senator
Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) cast his 18,000th vote Thursday, June 21, 2007.
Senator Byrd*s vote was on an amendment written by Senator Jay Rockefeller
(D-WV) that would accelerate the development of coal-to-liquids technology.
Rockefeller, Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV-1) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV-3)
were in attendance as Byrd made the milestone vote.
