Local politicians react to Sen. Byrd’s death
Fellow members of the U.S. Senate described the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia as an institution in the chamber and a champion of the interests of his home state. Byrd, who represented his state for 51 years, longer than any other senator in the nation’s history, died at age 92 in a Virginia hospital on Monday.
“Sen. Robert Byrd has not only been an institution in the Senate over the last 50 years, he also made it his charge to protect its integrity and document its history,” said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
“Sen. Byrd always put the interests of his constituents and his state of West Virginia first.”
Casey added that he and his family would keep Byrd and his family in their prayers.
West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, also a Democrat, praised Byrd’s rise to power from a humble childhood.
“Sen. Byrd came from humble beginnings in the southern coalfields, was raised by hardworking West Virginians and triumphantly rose to the heights of power in America. But he never forgot where he came from nor who he represented, and he never abused that power for his own gain,” Rockefeller said.
W.Va. Gov. Joe Manchin called Byrd a fearless fighter with a legacy of accomplishments.
“Sen. Byrd was a fearless fighter for the Constitution, his beloved state and its great people.
“He made a significant mark as a member of Congress in both our state’s and the nation’s history. His accomplishments and contributions will define history for eternity,” Manchin said.
Manchin will appoint a replacement to fill Byrd’s Senate seat until an election is held to fill the remainder of his term, which was to end on Jan. 3, 2013.
The United Mine Workers of America said the union and all coal miners lost a friend in Byrd.
“The United Mine Workers and all coal-mining families and communities have lost their best friend in U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd,” said UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts.