RAHALL REPORT: The Future for WV is Bright and Sen. Byrd is Lighting the Way As Mine Safety Bill is Signed into Law
From the desk of U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)Representing West Virginia's 3rd District
Washington, D.C. (HNN) -- This week, we marked a milestone for miner's safety, as the President signed into action the Miner's Safety Bill. It was an honor to mark this moment of change with Senator Robert C. Byrd, who just a few days earlier marked a milestone of his own, becoming the longest-serving Senator in the history of the Republic.
A couple of days before Senator Byrd's historical day, I addressed the young men of Mountaineer Boys' State. As always, my own memories of attending this government action program came flooding back as I talked to these future leaders about the power of public service, the challenges and rewards of leadership and the necessity of vision. The visit was encouraging, and it is clear that the future of West Virginia is clearly in capable hands-hands that will be guided, as so many have been, by a powerful beacon that illuminates our path as brightly today as 40 years ago. That beacon is Senator Robert C. Byrd.
Yes, we joined our Senator this week as he made history, but we will always prosper more from his daily leadership for West Virginia, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
It came as no surprise to me, or many others, that the senior Senator from West Virginia chose to spend his special day as he has every day for the past 48 years - by going to work to improve and enrich the lives of the people of West Virginia and ardently defending the Constitution of the United States.
In total, Senator Byrd has served this Nation nearly 54 years in the U.S. Capitol. Senator Byrd served three terms in this body before being elected to the Senate. In Washington, in the old House Chamber, overlooking all, stands sentinel, Clio, the Muse of History, in a winged chariot, a symbol of the passing of time. There to witness and record the history of the Republic for future generations.
Time does tell all. That is why Senator Byrd's service is so significant. Time trumpets talent, but talent ultimately triumphs over time. Senator Byrd's time serving our state is a direct measurement of his talent, witnessed by the wisdom of the people of West Virginia who have returned him to serve again time after time. Democracies breed talent. The time of tenure validates talent.
It remains one of my life's great privileges to serve with a man I consider a mentor and friend. I have never seen a greater example of a public servant and I have attempted to emulate my service after his.
Senator Byrd has been and continues to be an architect of advancement for our state; the influence of his steady leadership over the past five decades can be seen from the hills to the valleys, from our towns and villages to our cities.
And it is with great excitement that I look forward to the continued service of West Virginia's senior Senator. For that is the brilliance of Robert C. Byrd - always with his stern gaze firmly fixed on the future, a better, more prosperous, more secure future for West Virginia and all America.
As a beacon, Senator Byrd will continue to shine his light of advancement and progress across our entire State and Nation, and will continue to inspire future leaders like those fine young men who attended Boys' State last week. As a workhorse, Senator Byrd will continue to spend each day of your service dedicated to providing your people opportunities for prosperity; And as an anchor, Senator Byrd will continue to steady our land while giving generations of West Virginians and Americans hope, faith, and prosperity.
I congratulate my friend Senator Byrd on all he has achieved for his beloved West Virginia and all that he will achieve in the future for our Nation. The future for West Virginia is bright, and Senator Byrd is lighting the way.