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Monday, June 28, 2010
Byrd’s Legacy Will Be Felt
Sen. Robert Byrd died early June 28, 2010. In this April 12, 2007 photo by The Associated Press, Byrd stands next to Challenger, the American bald eagle on Capital Hill. The photo can be seen on FOX News.
Despite any political differences we might have, it is always a loss when a public servant has passed on, as is the case of West Virginia U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd.
Byrd, the longest serving member of Congress, died early today at age 92, but his legacy will be felt for many years to come.
Since serving in Congress in 1953, Byrd was known for being “The King Of Pork,” reported CNN, where at one of the top positions on the Senate Appropriations Committee he would move federal spending to his state West Virginia.
“Pork, to the critic, is service to the people who enjoy some of the good things in life, and I’ve been happy to bring to West Virginia the projects to which they refer. I have no apology for it,” he once said.
And while he accomplished much in his political life, such as being the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and sitting on the committees of the Senate Budget, Armed Services and Rules and Administration Committees, it cannot be ignored that his long career was unblemished.
Byrd was once a member of the Klu Klux Klan and even filibustered for 14 hours against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Both his membership of the KKK and filibustering of the Civil Rights Acts were some of his greatest regrets, Byrd said.
But once a man has just passed on, it is best to remember the good that he has done. It does no good to harp on failures and mistakes, though they should be mentioned, but right after a person has died it is far better to remember the wonderful contributions he has made in his life.
While many will remember Robert Byrd in their own way, let’s not forget this was a man who dedicated most of his life to the American people.
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