Robert Byrd

Robert Byrd
Official Senate picture, 2007
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office January 3, 2007 – June 28, 2010
Leader	Harry Reid
Preceded by	Ted Stevens
Succeeded by	Daniel Inouye
In office June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003
Leader	Tom Daschle
Preceded by	Strom Thurmond
Succeeded by	Ted Stevens
In office January 3, 2001 – January 20, 2001
Leader	Tom Daschle
Preceded by	Strom Thurmond
Succeeded by	Strom Thurmond
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995
Leader	George Mitchell
Preceded by	John Stennis
Succeeded by	Strom Thurmond
President pro tempore Emeritus of the United States Senate
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Leader	Bill Frist
Preceded by	Strom Thurmond
Succeeded by	Ted Stevens
Senate Majority Leader
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 1989
Deputy	Alan Cranston
Preceded by	Bob Dole
Succeeded by	George Mitchell
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1981
Deputy	Alan Cranston
Preceded by	Mike Mansfield
Succeeded by	Howard Baker
Senate Minority Leader
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1987
Deputy	Alan Cranston
Preceded by	Howard Baker
Succeeded by	Bob Dole
Senate Majority Whip
In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1977
Leader	Mike Mansfield
Preceded by	Ted Kennedy
Succeeded by	Alan Cranston
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Thad Cochran
Succeeded by	Daniel Inouye
In office June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Ted Stevens
Succeeded by	Ted Stevens
In office January 3, 2001 – January 20, 2001
Preceded by	Ted Stevens
Succeeded by	Ted Stevens
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1995
Preceded by	John C. Stennis
Succeeded by	Mark Hatfield
United States Senator from West Virginia
In office January 3, 1959 – June 28, 2010
Preceded by	Chapman Revercomb
Succeeded by	Carte Goodwin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th district
In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1959
Preceded by	Erland Hedrick
Succeeded by	John Slack
Personal details
Born	Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr. November 20, 1917(1917-11-20) North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	June 28, 2010(2010-06-28) (aged 92) Falls Church, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Erma James (1937–2006)
Children	Mona Marjorie
Alma mater	Marshall University American University
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Baptist
Signature

Robert Carlyle Byrd (November 20, 1917 – June 28, 2010) was a Senator of the state of West Virginia from 1959 until his death in 2010. He is the longest Senator in United States History. He was dean of the United States Senate from 2003 to 2010. He was President pro tempore four times. He was elected to the Senate in 1958. He served as majority leader from 1977 to 1981 and again from 1987 to 1989. He was also minority leader from 1981 to 1987.

Early life

Byrd was born on November 20, 1917 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He was married to Erma James from 1937 until her death in 2006. They had two children.

Political career

Byrd was fourth person in the state (as President pro tempore of the Senate, usually longest serving Senator from majority party) from January 1989 to January 1995, from January 3, 2001 to January 20, 2001 and again from June 2001 to January 2003 and January 2007 until his death in 2010.

After Republicans retook control of the Senate, he became the honorary President "pro tempore emeritus" In 2007, Byrd became President Pro Tempore of the Senate again. Before he was elected to the Senate he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1953 until 1959 (he is dean of all Congress).

He was a vocal opponent of President George W. Bush's war in Iraq. In January 2006 he was one of the only four (alongside Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Ken Salazar of Colorado) democratic Senators, who voted for Samuel Alito.

Death

Byrd died on June 28, 2010 in Falls Church, Virginia, aged 92 from natural causes.