HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 401
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson, and Delegates Argento, Barker, Beach, Boggs, Brown,
Butcher, Campbell, Caputo, Cann, Craig, Crosier, Doyle, Eldridge, Ennis, Ferro, Fleischauer,
Fragale, Frazier, Givens, Guthrie, Hall, Hartman, Hatfield, Hunt, Hutchins, Iaquinta, Klempa,
Kominar, Lawrence, Longstreth, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manypenny, Marshall, Martin,
Michael, Miley, Moore, Morgan, Moye, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Phillips, D. Poling, M.
Poling, Reynolds, Rodighiero, Ross, Shaver, Shook, Skaff, Smith, Spencer, Staggers, Stephens,
Stowers, Susman, Swartzmiller, Talbott, Varner, Walker, Webster, Wells, White, Williams,
Wooton, Anderson, Andes, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Blair, Border, Canterbury, Carmichael,
Cowles, Duke, Ellem, Evans, Hamilton, Ireland, Lane, McGeehan, C. Miller, J. Miller,
Overington, Porter, Romine, Rowan, Schadler, Schoen, Shott, Sobonya, Sumner and Walters)
Recognizing and honoring the Honorable Robert C. Byrd as a distinguished public servant,
dedicated statesman, a great asset to his State and Country, and the longest-serving member
of the United States Congress by designating November 18, 2009, as "The Honorable Robert
C. Byrd Day".
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has held more legislative offices than any other
statesman in West Virginia history; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd was elected to the West Virginia House of
Delegates in 1946 and 1948. He was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1950, and to the United States House of Representatives in 1952, 1954 and 1956; and
Whereas, With the constant support of his beloved wife, Erma Ora Byrd, the Honorable
Robert C. Byrd has served as a member of the United States Senate continuously since January 3,
1959; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has cast more votes than any other member of the
United States Senate, including more than 15,580 roll call votes in his career, with a 97.9 percent
attendance record during his five decades in the United States Senate; and
Whereas, In honor of his accomplishments and service to the State, the Honorable Robert
C. Byrd was named the "West Virginian of the Year" in 1974, 1977, 1990 and 2002. He was named
the "West Virginian of the 20
th Century" on May 31, 2001, by a Concurrent Resolution of the West
Virginia Legislature; and
Whereas, Throughout his remarkable life and distinguished career the Honorable Robert
C. Byrd has fearlessly defended the United States Constitution and the institution of the United
States Senate. In 2004, he worked to enact federal legislation designating September 17 of each year
as "Constitution and Citizenship Day"; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd has been elected to more leadership positions in
the United States Senate than any other senator in the history of our great nation; and
Whereas, The Honorable Robert C. Byrd became the longest-serving United States Senator
on June 12, 2006; and
Whereas, On November 18, 2009, the Honorable Robert C. Byrd becomes the longest-
serving member of the United States Congress with fifty-six years, three hundred twenty days of
continuous service, surpassing Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona, who served fifty-six years, three
hundred nineteen days; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates hereby acknowledges the extraordinary and exemplary service
of the Honorable Robert C. Byrd; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates hereby designates November 18, 2009, as
"The Honorable Robert C. Byrd Day", in recognition of this momentous and historic designation;
and be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a
certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Robert C. Byrd, the Library of Congress and the
West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
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