Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Longest-serving U.S. lawmaker Robert Byrd dies at 92
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Longest-serving U.S. lawmaker Robert Byrd dies at 92
Reuters - 33 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
By Thomas Ferraro and Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Robert Byrd, who evolved from a segregationist to a civil rights advocate in becoming the longest serving member ever of the Congress, died on Monday.
First elected to Congress in 1952, Byrd was 92.
His death is not expected to have any immediate impact on the Democrats' 59-41 control of the Senate. West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin is virtually certain to appoint a fellow Democrat to succeed Byrd, whose current term expires in 2012.
But Senate tributes may delay efforts to win final congressional approval for landmark financial regulation reform, initially set for this week.
Democratic aides remained hopeful they could muster the 60 Senate votes needed either from within their own ranks or from Republicans wary to be seen siding with Wall Street.
Byrd helped shape much of the nation's history and served with a dozen U.S. presidents. He died peacefully at Inova Fairfax Hospital outside of Washington, D.C., said his spokesman, Jesse Jacobs. Byrd was hospitalized last week with what doctors believed was a heat-related illness.
"I love to serve. I love the Senate. If I could live another 100 years, I'd like to continue in the Senate," Byrd, who kept a copy of the U.S. Constitution in his breast pocket, said in a 2006 interview with Reuters.
Senator Jay Rockefeller, also of West Virginia, said: "Senator Byrd came from humble beginnings in the southern coalfields ... 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."
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Byrd will be remembered "for his fighter's spirit, his abiding faith and for the many times he recalled the Senate to its purposes."
Byrd was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1952, and served six years in that chamber before moving to the Senate. His early campaigns were punctuated by his skills as a bluegrass fiddler that helped draw big and enthusiastic crowds for the self-described West Virginia "hillbilly."
With his old-fashioned courtliness, Byrd was a defender of the Senate's traditions and over the years held most of its key positions, including Democratic leader from 1977 to 1988 and later as the top Democrat on the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Byrd was an early and eloquent opponent of the Iraq war, which began in 2003 with popular support but within a few years was widely condemned. He also warned against a buildup of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
'SENATE'S MAN'
He worked with and challenged presidents, Democrats and Republicans alike, and reminded all of them of Congress' responsibility to check their power.
"I'm not any president's man. I'm a Senate's man," Byrd told Reuters in the 2006 interview.
During his more than half century in Congress, America changed dramatically and so did Byrd.
"When I got here, I was to the right of Barry Goldwater," Byrd told Reuters, referring to a conservative Republican senator and failed 1964 presidential candidate. "I moved more to the centre."
In the early 1940s, before being elected to Congress, Byrd belonged to the Ku Klux Klan, a membership that he attributed to a youthful mistake.
"It has emerged throughout my life to haunt and embarrass me and has taught me in a very graphic way what one major mistake can do to one's life, career and reputation," Byrd wrote in a 1987 memoir, "Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields."
In Congress, Byrd, who denounced civil rights leader Martin Luther King as a "self-seeking rabble rouser," eventually became a leading backer of civil rights.
Of the record-setting 18,500-plus Senate votes Byrd cast, he said his biggest regret was opposing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, a landmark law that brought down barriers for black Americans.
He said his views changed most dramatically after his teenage grandson was killed in a 1982 traffic accident that Byrd said put him in a deep emotional valley.
"The death of my grandson caused me to stop and think," Byrd said. "I came to realise that black people love their children as much as I do mine."
'BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY'
In West Virginia, Byrd was revered for his ability to deliver federal dollars to his poor state to build roads, schools and hospitals.
Critics called him the "Prince of Pork," but constituents crowned him as "West Virginian of the 20th Century."
"I want to be West Virginia's billion dollar industry," Byrd declared in 1990. He succeeded.
In 2000 he won passage of a bill that took import duties paid by foreign firms and transferred them to U.S. corporations. The Byrd Amendment, reviled abroad, was aimed at helping ailing steel companies in West Virginia and other states.
He also was a long-time champion of his state's coal industry, drawing the frequent ire of environmentalists, but later became more conscious of environmental damage and shortcomings in worker safety.
Byrd was born Cornelius Calvin Sale Jr. on November 20, 1917, in North Carolina and was sent to live with relatives in West Virginia after his mother died in the 1918 flu pandemic.
His new family renamed him and Byrd grew up desperately poor in the West Virginia coal fields. Unable to afford college, he worked as a meat cutter during the Great Depression and later as a welder building ships during World War Two.
Byrd married his high school sweetheart, Erma Ora James, in 1936. They had two daughters and six grandchildren.
"For two hillbillies -- that is what we are, two hillbillies -- from West Virginia, it has been an exciting and wild ride," Byrd said in a Senate speech marking their 65th anniversary. She died in March 2006.
Byrd set the record for congressional longevity on November 17, 2009.
On that day, Byrd said, "My only regret is that my beloved wife, companion and confidant, my dear Erma, is not here with me. I know that she is looking down from the heavens smiling at me and saying, 'Congratulations my dear Robert -- but don't let it go to your head.'"
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Kyrgyzstan voters back new constitution AFP - 15 minutes ago
Ex-Panama dictator Noriega on trial in France AFP - 24 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 31 minutes ago
BP says Hayward remains CEO as storm Alex looms Reuters - 31 minutes ago
Longest-serving U.S. lawmaker Robert Byrd dies at 92 Reuters - 33 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Venus battles Groth to reach quarter finals
NATO's June death toll in Afghanistan nears 100
Cut stimulus to save economic recovery: bank chiefs
Brazil, Dutch eye World Cup quarter-finals place
Kyrgyz voters back new constitution
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Disgraced millionaire lobbyist takes pizza job
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
England-Germany World Cup rivalry felt in Afghanistan
Back from the dead, Saab is ready for its revenge
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
More Most Viewed »
Amputee cat gets bionic legs
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Fans gather for Michael Jackson death anniversary
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 28 June 2010 G20 agrees to cut deficits in half by 2013: Merkel
NATO: Afghan ops not slowed despite command change
Toronto police fire tear gas on G20 protesters
|
Merkel's win, Cameron's loss as footie fever hits G20
Greece will tame debt with reforms: IMF official
Bolivia mountain bus crash kills 26: report
|
Syria wants Brazil to help Mideast peace: report
|
England edge thriller to seal Australia series
US drone strike kills six militants in Pakistan
Sodden China battles to repair flood defences
No good info on bin Laden for years
Kyrgyz leader says new constitution is approved
CIA chief warns Iran could have nukes ready by 2012
BIS-Taiwan dollar not affected by yuan reform-deputy cbank
G20 draft urges emerging nations currency flexibility
RCOM sells mobile tower assets to slash debt
Germany says Apple must improve data transparency
|
New Apple iPhone hard to find, but not impossible
|
Salesforce sues Microsoft as legal feud escalates
|
ATM security flaws could be a jackpot for hackers
|
Top menswear designers mix cheeky with elegant
E-books pave way for more blockbusters, serials
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Toy Story 3" beats Sandler, Cruise at box office
Pakistan to monitor Google, others for blasphemy
|
"Hurt Locker" star braves real Afghan minefield
Fans scramble for Apple's iPhone upgrade
|
Stevie Wonder lights up 'magic' Glastonbury
Suicide-hit Foxconn hands over staff dormitories
|
YouTube, now with instant vuvuzela sound
|
Sony's PlayStation near deal with Hulu: report
|
Toy Story 3 beats Sandler, Cruise at box office
|
Graft fears as massive cash sums fly out of Kabul: WSJ
Back from the dead, Saab is ready for its revenge
US-TECH Summary
Police clash with G20 protesters, end in standoff
|
Foursquare close to obtaining funding: report
Kyrgyz vote wins 90 percent support
|
Four NATO troops killed as CIA warns on Afghan war
England-Germany World Cup rivalry felt in Afghanistan
Russia alarmed by CIA view of Iran's weapons
|
CIA chief warns of long road ahead in Afghanistan
'Growth friendly' new theme song of world economies
Russia says alarmed by CIA view of Iran's weapons
Five ISAF troops killed in Afghanistan: NATO
|
Four Norwegian soldiers killed in Afghanistan
North Korea rejects U.N. truce talks over ship sinking
|
Medvedev: CIA warning on Iranian nukes 'troubling'
Detained red shirt to run for parliamentary seat
|
NATO: Afghan ops not slowed despite command change
Bangladesh: arms on Pakistan-bound ship from UN
Poland's Komorowski seeks to regain ground in debate
|
Sumo stablemaster offers to resign over scandal
North Korea issues new warning to U.S. over truce village
Tree man faces charges in China: state media
Detained "red shirt" to run for parliamentary seat
CIA chief: Iran could have nukes ready by 2012
Philippine boxer Pacquiao sworn in as congressman
Australia PM Gillard announces cabinet changes
|
N.Korea vows to bolster nuclear deterrent
Hong Kong police smash football gambling ring
Dumped Australian PM misses out on cabinet spot
Art and life in China blur for photographer Mo Yi
Seoul shares end up 0.1 pct; LG Display, Kia rise
China trade pact ushers in new era: Taiwan envoy
S.Korea SK Energy closes CDU, RFCC for maintenance
Taiwan stocks close higher on China deal optimism
Korea Hot Stocks-SBS Media down, LG Display up
PAKISTAN
Japan given 'greater latitude' on deficit
Foursquare close to obtaining funding: report
|
NZ business confidence eases in June
China gives in to G20, sets strong yuan rate
Obama challenges China on G20 stage
"Twilight" finally hits its stride with third film
Departing Showtime boss out-HBOed HBO
Star-spangled Copenhagen, the surprise culinary trend-setter
'King of Pop' Jackson king of memorabilia
BET Awards honor Prince
"Female Forces" lawsuit is next on A&E docket
Bizarre claims keep Jackson's estate lawyer busy
Peter Jackson in talks to direct "Hobbit" movies
Kevin Spacey joins "Horrible Bosses" cast
BET Awards honor Prince
|
Departing Showtime boss out-HBOed HBO
|
Twilight finally hits its stride with third film
|
Toy Story 3 beats Sandler, Cruise at box office
|
Bizarre claims keep Jackson's estate lawyer busy
|
Peter Jackson in talks to direct Hobbit movies
|
Kevin Spacey joins Horrible Bosses cast
|
Female Forces lawsuit is next on A&E docket
|
Ex-Panama dictator Noriega on trial in France
Do-little G20 summit leaves markets unperturbed
|
NATO's June death toll in Afghanistan nears 100
Cut stimulus to save economic recovery: bank chiefs
Israeli inquiry into Gaza flotilla raid opens
|
Israeli inquiry into Gaza flotilla raid opens
Brazil, Dutch eye World Cup quarter-finals place
Afghan campaign steps up in bloodiest month of war
|
Kyrgyz voters back new constitution
West's prisons can keep militant Islam out: study
|
In Quarter of Jerusalem, Armenians fear for future
Iran cancels aid ship to Gaza
Iran wants to punish West, warns of retaliation
|
India struggles with development in Maoist citadel
Over 100 buried in southwest China landslide
|
NATO, civilians give 2 accounts of fatal operation
Sri Lanka president defiant over war probe
More than 100 trapped in China landslide
At least 18 dead in Pakistan gas tanker blast
Australian pair escape charges over Aborigine death
Australia says new 'Karate Kid' too brutal for kids
Explosion in Pakistan's Hyderabad kills 18: police
|
Explosion in Pakistan's Hyderabad kills 18-police
The poor and the dead: Philippines' strange bedfellows
Italy nabs 24 in $3 billion Chinese laundering sting
|
Australia's Greens may block mine-tax deal
Longest-serving U.S. lawmaker Robert Byrd dies at 92
Pakistani stocks lower in cautious trade; rupee eases
Sugarland To Release New Album "The Incredible Machine" In October
Japan starts talks with India on nuclear power
Global Weather-Celsius
More Than 200 Injured In Los Angeles Music Festival
Democrats, Republicans Mourn Death Of Nation's Longest-Serving Senator
G20 promises leave Asian markets unmoved
Lindsay Lohan's Family To Star In Another Reality Show
Seoul shares end up 0.1pct; LG Display, Kia rise
GOP Pounces After Democratic Candidate's Subpoena In Blagojevich Trial
Man Passes Out Drunk In Driveway, Run Over By Roommate
Number Of Childless Women Spikes Since 1970s
Longer Gym Class Time, Healthier Foods Can Lower Childhood Obesity Risks
Statins May Lower Prostate Cancer Recurrance
Michael Jackson's Crystal-Studded Glove Fetches $190,000 At Auction
Apple boasts 1.7 million iPhone 4 sales
|
Australia says new 'Karate Kid' too brutal for kids
Muppets, Oprah, Buddy Holly to get Hollywood stars
Australia says new 'Karate Kid' too brutal for kids
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights