Honorable Robert Byrd
United States Senator
West Virginia, DemocratRobert Byrd was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1958, making him the most senior senator in the chamber. He served as Senate majority leader from 1977 to 1980 and 1987 to 1988. He received his law degree from American University in 1963, making him the first sitting Member of Congress to study for and receive such a law degree. The following is excerpted from the January 26, 2006, Senate floor debate on the confirmation of Samuel Alito for associate justice.I am a senator who takes this Constitution seriously. I refuse simply to toe the party line…
