Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia has died at the age of 92. He was the longest serving Senator ever and, when his time as Member of the House of Representatives is figured in, longest serving member of Congress. His career took him from membership in the Klan as a young man to support of repealing Don't Ask/Don't Tell as an old one. He called his Klan membership "a sad mistake" and publicly apologized for it in 1952, when he first ran for the House, but it continued to cause problems for him his entire life. He voted for civil rights legislation in 1957 and 1960, but filibustered the 1964 Civil Rights Bill.
He may be best known for bringing home the bacon to West Virginia. He was unapologetic for using his influence to pump federal dollars into his state and saw it as a proud legacy. When I was in Washington, people often joked that the entire capitol would move to West Virginia if Byrd got his way. It wasn't far from the truth.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma, to whom he was married for 68 years. He is survived by two daughters as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
His replacement will be appointed by Democratic Governor Joe
Manchin.
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