July 4, 2010
A West Virginia Farewell Tribute for our West Virginia Senator
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
While we mourn the loss of our son of West Virginia, today we come together to celebrate the outstanding life of a man, the likes of whom we shall never see again.
In one of the five books that Senator Byrd authored he said, “We must study the great figures of our history and carry them forward in our imaginations as living, breathing presences we can in effect consult on vital issues of the day.”
Without question, Sen. Robert C. Byrd is a pillar in our nation’s history. His leadership and influence have stretched well beyond the borders of the Mountain State.
My first memory of Sen. Byrd was as a young boy working in the back of my grandfather’s grocery store in the small coal mining town Farmington, W.Va. I remember hearing scripture of the Bible being quoted from two great orators – my grandfather, Papa Joe, and Robert C Byrd. Both held the same great occupation – grocery store butchers. They were discussing bible and business with great fervor. I still remember it today. My personal memory of meeting the senator is no different than so many West Virginians – meeting Sen. Robert C. Byrd in every small nook and cranny of this great state. That is why this loss is so personal, because we are all family in West Virginia.
Sen. Byrd will be remembered for his tireless contributions to the people of West Virginia and to the United States of America. As the longest serving member of Congress – having cast more votes and held more leadership positions than any other Senator, and a historic 57 years of service in Congress – it would be impossible to stand here and recite all that our beloved senator did for you and me.
From highways and hospitals to schools and technology centers – there are more than 50 projects in West Virginia that bear his name, or that of his beloved wife.
We will remember Sen. Byrd for the strong family man that he was. The love-of-his-life, Erma, and their two daughters, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren provided unconditional support.
We will remember Sen. Byrd for the devoted public servant that he was. He helped to create thousands of jobs. He helped to protect our veterans and provide healthcare to rural areas.
We will remember his commitment to transforming our economy. We will remember his ongoing quest to provide our youth with the opportunity to learn, work and succeed. We will remember his steadfast leadership, his wisdom, his reason, his compassion, his strong voice and enthusiasm. We will never forget his deeply-rooted spiritual conviction and his utmost respect for our founding fathers.
However, more importantly, we will remember his innate qualities: honesty, integrity, loyalty, an intense respect for democracy and his unwavering love for the people and our state.
The senator truly epitomized the spirit of West Virginia. He wore that Mountain State spirit on his sleeve and never forgot where that journey in history began, back in Wolf Creek Hollow, in Sophia, W.Va. Nor did he forget the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people of West Virginia, who he loved as if they were extended family.
When he launched a career in public service some 60 plus years ago, our state was a blank canvas, untouched by the colors of the modern ways of life. Sen. Byrd brought that blank canvas to life using broad intellect and optimism and a can-do spirit that resonated throughout the hills of West Virginia.
In fact, when his political career was in its beginning stages, there were only four miles of divided four-lane highway in our state, and Sen. Byrd made it his mission to transform those barren lands. He was a true champion; a man of his word, and a true patriot and guardian of the United States Constitution.
Sen. Byrd was looked up to by all of Congress and often referred to as “the Conscience of the Senate.” A long list of colleagues have sang his praises, here are just a few: Sen. Bob Dole said, “He has set a standard as a Senator, as a legislative leader, and as a statesman that will stand among the best as long as there is a Senate.” His dear friend Sen. Ted Kennedy said that “He personifies what our Founding Fathers were thinking about when they were thinking about a United States Senate.” He has been called a “patriot and warrior of the United States Constitution.”
However, the best way that I can describe the senator is as “the Architect of Appalachia.”
He is the most historic figure to ever call West Virginia home, and will forever live in our hearts and those of our children. No one can replace our senator. No one can fill his shoes; we must never forget his tireless dedication as we humbly follow in his footsteps.
Sen. Byrd, you’ve toiled and triumphed on behalf of the Mountain State, and now your time to rest has come. Your memory will live in our hearts forever.
May God Bless You and Erma. May God Bless the State of West Virginia. May God Bless America.
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A West Virginia Farewell Tribute for our West Virginia Senator
From The Governor’s Desk
A weekly column by Gov. Joe Manchin
While we mourn the loss of our son of West Virginia, today we come together to celebrate the outstanding life of a man, the likes of whom we shall never see again.
In one of the five books that Senator Byrd authored he said, “We must study the great figures of our history and carry them forward in our imaginations as living, breathing presences we can in effect consult on vital issues of the day.”
Without question, Sen. Robert C. Byrd is a pillar in our nation’s history. His leadership and influence have stretched well beyond the borders of the Mountain State.
My first memory of Sen. Byrd was as a young boy working in the back of my grandfather’s grocery store in the small coal mining town Farmington, W.Va. I remember hearing scripture of the Bible being quoted from two great orators – my grandfather, Papa Joe, and Robert C Byrd. Both held the same great occupation – grocery store butchers. They were discussing bible and business with great fervor. I still remember it today. My personal memory of meeting the senator is no different than so many West Virginians – meeting Sen. Robert C. Byrd in every small nook and cranny of this great state. That is why this loss is so personal, because we are all family in West Virginia.
Sen. Byrd will be remembered for his tireless contributions to the people of West Virginia and to the United States of America. As the longest serving member of Congress – having cast more votes and held more leadership positions than any other Senator, and a historic 57 years of service in Congress – it would be impossible to stand here and recite all that our beloved senator did for you and me.
From highways and hospitals to schools and technology centers – there are more than 50 projects in West Virginia that bear his name, or that of his beloved wife.
We will remember Sen. Byrd for the strong family man that he was. The love-of-his-life, Erma, and their two daughters, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren provided unconditional support.
We will remember Sen. Byrd for the devoted public servant that he was. He helped to create thousands of jobs. He helped to protect our veterans and provide healthcare to rural areas.
We will remember his commitment to transforming our economy. We will remember his ongoing quest to provide our youth with the opportunity to learn, work and succeed. We will remember his steadfast leadership, his wisdom, his reason, his compassion, his strong voice and enthusiasm. We will never forget his deeply-rooted spiritual conviction and his utmost respect for our founding fathers.
However, more importantly, we will remember his innate qualities: honesty, integrity, loyalty, an intense respect for democracy and his unwavering love for the people and our state.
The senator truly epitomized the spirit of West Virginia. He wore that Mountain State spirit on his sleeve and never forgot where that journey in history began, back in Wolf Creek Hollow, in Sophia, W.Va. Nor did he forget the hard-working, salt-of-the-earth people of West Virginia, who he loved as if they were extended family.
When he launched a career in public service some 60 plus years ago, our state was a blank canvas, untouched by the colors of the modern ways of life. Sen. Byrd brought that blank canvas to life using broad intellect and optimism and a can-do spirit that resonated throughout the hills of West Virginia.
In fact, when his political career was in its beginning stages, there were only four miles of divided four-lane highway in our state, and Sen. Byrd made it his mission to transform those barren lands. He was a true champion; a man of his word, and a true patriot and guardian of the United States Constitution.
Sen. Byrd was looked up to by all of Congress and often referred to as “the Conscience of the Senate.” A long list of colleagues have sang his praises, here are just a few: Sen. Bob Dole said, “He has set a standard as a Senator, as a legislative leader, and as a statesman that will stand among the best as long as there is a Senate.” His dear friend Sen. Ted Kennedy said that “He personifies what our Founding Fathers were thinking about when they were thinking about a United States Senate.” He has been called a “patriot and warrior of the United States Constitution.”
However, the best way that I can describe the senator is as “the Architect of Appalachia.”
He is the most historic figure to ever call West Virginia home, and will forever live in our hearts and those of our children. No one can replace our senator. No one can fill his shoes; we must never forget his tireless dedication as we humbly follow in his footsteps.
Sen. Byrd, you’ve toiled and triumphed on behalf of the Mountain State, and now your time to rest has come. Your memory will live in our hearts forever.
May God Bless You and Erma. May God Bless the State of West Virginia. May God Bless America.
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