Both houses of the West Virginia Legislature and Governor Joe Manchin have designated November 18th as Robert C. Byrd Day. In a ceremony marking Senator Byrd's milestone as the longest serving member in Congress Wednesday, the House of Delegates, the State Senate, and the Governor presented resolutions to honor him.
"Now therefore, be it resolved that, I, Joe Manchin, Governor of the Great State of West Virginia, along with Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, House Speaker Richard Thompson, and Secretary of State Natalie E. Tenant, do hereby recognize November 18th, 2009 and every November 18th hereafter as Robert C. Byrd Day," the Governor read.
After the reading of the resolutions, Secretary of State Natalie Tennant affixed her seal to each making them official. The Governor called the day historic for not only the state of West Virginia, but also for the nation.
"What a remarkable national milestone we are celebrating today. Our Senior Senator becomes the longest serving member of Congress in the history of the United States government," Governor Manchin told the crowd Wednesday afternoon.
Past campaign workers and staffers also spoke of their experiences working with Senator Byrd. Many of those stories highlighted the spirit of service Byrd brought to the senate over the past decades; service the Governor says has been repaid by the people of West Virginia.
"The people of the Mountain State trust and have confidence in Senator Byrd. We always have and always will."
As well as past recollections, there was also a poetry reading marking the day as well as a live American eagle. State leaders also sang an early version of 'Happy Birthday' to Senator Byrd following the ceremonies in honor of his 92nd birthday on Friday.
Gov. Manchin on Sen. Robert C. Byrd
