Timeline
(Click on dates below to learn more.)
Life of
Robert Carlyle Byrd
1917
Born Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr., in Wilkesboro, North Carolina
1918 Mother died of influenza
1920 Moved to West Virginia
1934 Graduated from Mark Twain High School
1935 Worked as a gas station attendant in Helen
1935 Worked as a produce boy for the Koppers Company
1937 Married Erma Ora James
1941 Became the head of the meat department in Crab Orchard
1946 Elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates
1950 Enrolled at Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston)
1950 Elected to West Virginia Senate
1952 Elected to the United States House of Representatives
1953 Enrolled in law classes at George Washington University School
of Law
1958 Elected to the United States Senate
1963 Graduated cum laude from American University's Washington College
of
Law
1967 Elected Secretary of Senate Democratic Conference (reelected 1969)
1969 Began Robert C. Byrd Scholastic Recognition Award Program
1971 Elected Senate Majority Whip (reelected 1973 and 1975)
1976 First United States Senator from West Virginia to win a seat without
opposition
1977 Elected Majority Leader of the United States Senate (1977-1980)
1981 Elected Senate Minority Leader (1981 to 1986)
1983 Received the Horatio Alger Award
1987 Elected Majority Leader of the United States Senate (1987-1988)
1989 Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
1989 Elected President
pro tempore of the Senate (1989-1994)
1994 Awarded BA in political science from Marshall University
2000 Elected to 8th consecutive six-year Senate term
2001 Named West Virginian of the 20th Century
2001 Chairman, Senator Appropriations Committee and Elected President
pro tempore of the Senate (June 2001-2002)
2003 Awarded the "Eleanor Roosevelt Freedom
from Fear Award"
2004 Became first senator in our nation's history
to cast 17,000 roll call votes
2010 Senator Byrd passed away on June 28 at age 92
1917
Born Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr., in Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Senator
Robert C. Byrd is one of the most influential members of the United
States Senate. His name is well known across the state of West Virginia
and across the county, but he was not always known as Robert Byrd; he
started his life with a different name. His parents, Cornelius and Ada
Sale, named him Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr. He was born during World War
I on November 20, 1917. The Sale’s had four other children – three
boys and one girl.
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1918
Mother died of influenza 1934
He
lost his mother almost one year to the day of his birth. On November 11,
1918, the day the armistice was signed ending the war, Ada Sale died of
influenza. Her death would change the life her youngest child forever.
Before her death, Ada had asked her husband to give their sons to other
family members. Young Cornelius was given to his mother’s sister and
her brother-in-law, Vlurma and Titus Byrd. The Byrds had no children of
their own and adopted the one-year-old. They changed his name to Robert
Carlyle Byrd.
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1920
Moved to West Virginia
The
Byrd family moved to West Virginia when young “Robert” was about two
years old. The senator’s earliest memories are of living in Bluefield
where his adoptive father drove a wagon and team for a local brewery.
During his childhood, Titus Byrd would work several different jobs
trying to stake his claim to a better life for his family. He was a coal
miner and farmer. As his father moved from job to job, Robert lived in
several West Virginia towns, but they eventually moved back to Mercer
County and settled in Algonquin (later called Lamar). It was here that
young Robert started to school. He
attended a two-room school and finished four grades in two years. School
became an important part of Byrd’s life and his thirst for knowledge
began to shape his life.
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1934
Graduated
from Mark Twain High School
Education
was a staple in young Robert’s life. For part of his youth, Robert’s
home had no electricity and many times he pursued his love of learning
with the light of an oil lamp. When he was in the eighth grade, Robert
walked three miles to catch a bus and then traveled four more miles to a
school in Spanishburg. With all the moving the family did, Robert
eventually graduated from Mark Twain High School in Stotesbury. He was
the valedictorian of his graduating class of twenty-eight students. He
had a good memory. He loved history, mathematics and music. He played
the violin in the school orchestra and the bass drum in the band. His
heroes were statesmen and soldiers of the founding period, such as
George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and Francis Marion.
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1935
Worked as a gas station attendant in Helen
It
was a difficult time in the country when Robert Byrd graduated high
school. He wanted to go to college, but it was the middle of the
depression and the Byrds did not have the money to send Robert to
school. It was also a difficult time to find a job. Eight months after
his graduation Robert took a job in a gas station in Helen, some four
miles from his home. He
began the job in January, the middle of the winter.
He did not have a car or even an overcoat to keep warm. If he had
to walk to Helen, he borrowed a coat; other times he hitched rides.
Robert worked from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. On many days he
walked a total of eight miles to and from work.
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1935
Worked as a produce boy for the Koppers Company
After
a short time, Byrd was offered a job as produce boy with the Koppers
Company in his hometown. The Koppers Company owned the coal operation in
Stotesbury as well as the gas station in Helen. He was happy to change
jobs because he would no longer have to travel several miles to work.
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1937
Married Erma Ora James
While
a student at Mark Twain High School, Robert Byrd was attracted to a
young woman who was a grade behind him. Erma Ora James was a coal
miner’s daughter. Robert had a unique way of courting Erma. A fellow
student would often bring candy to school, and Byrd made it a point to
be one of the first students to greet his friend each morning, hoping to
be offered some of the sweet treats. When the offer was extended, Robert
graciously accepted, but not for himself.
He promptly sought out Erma James and gave the candy to her.
Thus, Robert courted his sweetheart with another person’s sweets.
When
they decided to get married in 1937, Robert was earning $75 a month.
After their wedding, the newlyweds lived in two upstairs rooms in
the coal camp house of Erma’s sister and brother-in-law. The first of
the Byrd’s two daughters, Mona, was born while they lived in those two
rooms.
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1941
Became the head of the meat department in Crab Orchard
Robert,
like his father, always looked for ways to make a better living. He
taught himself the art of cutting meat by watching and helping the meat
cutter who worked in the Koppers Company store. He also read a manual to
learn more about the process. After
acquiring this skill, Byrd worked as a meat cutter at a number of stores
in Fayette and Raleigh Counties. It was during this period of his life
that a second daughter, Marjorie, was born. While working as a meat
cutter, Byrd took classes in welding at Beckley College. During World
War II he used this skill to build cargo ships, known as victory or
liberty ships, in Baltimore, Maryland and Tampa, Florida. But when the
war ended in 1945, the Byrds returned to Crab Orchard where Robert again
worked at the Carolina supermarket.
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1946
Elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates
In
1946 Byrd decided to run for the West Virginia House of Delegates. In
the campaign, the political newcomer faced fierce competition from
twelve other people, including three incumbents. Robert had no previous
political experience, but he learned a great deal in his very first
political campaign. Since he was an unknown in political circles, he
soon realized that he needed a gimmick to attract attention and make
himself recognizable. His
gimmick became his violin. Byrd took the violin everywhere and at
meetings offered to play a couple of tunes before giving his speech. The
gimmick worked! He became so well known that when the results of the
election came in Byrd led the ticket.
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1950
Enrolled at Morris Harvey College (University of Charleston)
In
his second term in the House, Byrd again turned his attention to
education. To embark on his dream of a college education, he enrolled at
Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston).
He continued his college studies, taking classes at Concord and
Marshall Colleges (now Marshall University).
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1950
Elected to West Virginia Senate
In
1950 Byrd decided to vacate his seat in the House of Delegates and run
for the state Senate. He was elected to the office, but about half way
through his first term in the state Senate, one of West Virginia’s
representatives in the United States House of Representatives decided
not to run for reelection. This opened up a seat in Byrd’s
Congressional district. The
new Senator decided if he ever was to serve his state at the national
level, this was the time.
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1952
Elected to the United States House of Representatives
Byrd
served six years in the House of Representatives. He did not gain much
seniority during that time and, as a member of the minority party, did
not enjoy much support from the House leadership. He spent his time
working in his Congressional district, getting to know people and
learning what issues his constituents favored. During his second term in
the House, however, Byrd was assigned to the Foreign Affairs Committee.
As a member of this committee, he traveled overseas for the first time.
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1953
Enrolled in law classes at George Washington University School of Law
While
serving in the House, Byrd did initiate a personal goal—earning a law
degree. In 1953 he enrolled in night classes at George Washington
University’s School of Law. He transferred to American University’s
Washington College of Law after learning that George Washington would
not confer a law degree because he lacked the prerequisite baccalaureate
degree. Byrd
worked on his law degree for the ten years, completing it as a member of
the United States Senate in 1963. When the commencement speaker, then
President John F. Kennedy, conferred the degree, he remarked that Robert
C. Byrd was the only person to begin and complete the requirements for a
law degree while serving as a member of Congress.
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1958 Elected to the United States Senate
In
1958, Robert Byrd decided to run for the U. S. Senate. He saw the Senate
as a means of doing more for the whole state of West Virginia. Byrd won
his seat, defeating Chapman Revercomb to become the 1,579th
person to serve in the Senate since its beginning in 1789. As a new
senator, Byrd soon became friends with some of the nation’s most
powerful leaders—among them, Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson
and Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee Carl Haden.
As a freshman senator, Robert received a unique honor when he was
appointed to the Appropriations Committee.
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1963 Graduated cum laude from American University's Washington College
of Law
It
was Byrd’s personal goal to finish law school. He says that it was not
so much that he had an interest in law, but he had a tremendous interest
in learning. He worked 10 years on his law degree and completed
law school as a member of the United States Senate in 1963. When the
commencement speaker, then President John F. Kennedy, conferred the
degree, he remarked that Robert C. Byrd was the only person to begin and
complete the requirements for a law degree while serving as a member of
Congress.
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1967
Elected Secretary of Senate Democratic Conference (reelected 1969)
The
Senate Democratic Conference conducts periodic meetings of Senate
Democrats and is the forum used to communicate the party’s message to
its members. Byrd was elected Secretary of the Senate Democratic
Conference in 1967 and reelected in 1969. The Secretary is the third
ranking leadership position for the minority party and is voted into the
position by the Democratic Conference.
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1969
Began Robert C. Byrd Scholastic Recognition Award Program
Since
education has always been important to the Senator, he initiated his
Scholastic Recognition Award in 1969. The program awards savings bond to
valedictorians from West Virginia's public and private high schools. Byrd
has honored the achievement of more than 9,500 West Virginia students,
totaling more than $221,000 in savings bonds. The Senator is also
responsible for the national, merit-based scholarship program funded
through the U.S. Department of Education, which was later named in his
honor – the Robert C. Byrd National Honors Scholarship.
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1971
Elected Senate Majority Whip (reelected 1973 and 1975)
Senator
Byrd was elected as the second ranking member of the United States
Senate in 1971. This was his first term as Majority Whip. The function
of this position is to gather party votes on major issues. Since the
Majority Whip is the second ranking member of the Senate, if there is no
floor leader present, the Majority Whip may become acting floor leader.
Senator Byrd held this position three times. He was first elected in
1971 and reelected in 1973 and 1975.
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1976
First United States Senator from West Virginia to win a seat without
opposition
Senator
Byrd’s stature and leadership in the Senate assured him his seat in
1976. Not one person ran against the Senator, so Byrd became the first
United Staes Senator from West Virginia to win a seat without opposition.
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1977
Elected Majority Leader of the United States Senate (1977-1980)
In
1977 the Democrats were the majority party and the Democratic Conference
elected Senator Byrd as the Majority Leader. The Majority Leader and
Minority Leader are elected by their respective parties to serve as the
chief Senate spokesmen. It was Senator Byrd’s responsibility to
conduct and schedule the legislative and executive business of the
Senate. It is tradition for floor leaders to request the permission or
recognition of the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of their
respective party conference to speak on the floor of the Senate. Senator
Byrd held this position from 1977-1980 and was once again elected from
1987-1988.
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1981
Elected Senate Minority Leader (1981-1986)
In
1981, Ronald Reagan was President and the Republicans became the
Majority Party. The Democratic Conference once again elected Senator
Byrd as their leader; this time he was appointed as the Senate Minority
Leader. As Minority Leader, his responsibilities were much the same as
they had been the past three years when Byrd was Senate Majority Leader.
He scheduled and conducted Democratic meetings and worked with party
members to set the Democratic agenda, message and strategy.
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1983
Received the Horatio Alger Award
Each
year, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans honors an
outstanding American with the Horatio Alger Award. These distinguished
Americans are “dedicated community leaders who demonstrate individual
initiative and a commitment to excellence — as exemplified by
remarkable achievements accomplished through honesty, hard work,
self-reliance, and perseverance. All Members have a strong commitment to
assisting those less fortunate than themselves and a loyalty and
devotion to American ideals and the American free enterprise system.“
The senator was presented with this award and inducted as a lifelong
member of the Horatio Alger Association.
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1987
Elected Majority Leader of the United States Senate (1987-1988)
In
1987 the pendulum swung to the right and the Democratic Conference was
again the majority party. Senator Byrd was re-elected the Senate
Majority Leader, again conducting the legislative and executive
discussions in the Senate.
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1989
Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee and Elected President pro tempore of the
Senate (1989-1994)
The
Senate Appropriations Committee is the largest committee in the Senate.
Members of this committee are responsible for overseeing federal
treasury, writing the legislation that allocates federal funds to the
numerous government agencies, departments, and organizations on an
annual basis. Senator Byrd was elected as Chairman in 1989 and held the
position until 1994. He was reelected as Chairman in June 2001. He is
currently, the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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In
1989 he was also elected President pro tempore, which means “president
for a time.” This is a constitutionally recognized officer of the
Senate who presides in the absence of the Vice President. Traditionally,
the Senator with the longest record of continuous service is elected to
this position.
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1994
Awarded BA in political science from Marshall University
It
wasn’t until 1994 that Byrd received his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa
cum laude. Marshall University accumulated all of the accredited
courses that Byrd had acquired – courses at Concord College, Beckley
College, Morris Harvey, Marshall University and his law courses – and
presented him with a BA in political science.
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2000
Elected to 8th consecutive six-year Senate term
In
2000, West Virginia voters elected Senator Byrd to an eighth consecutive
six-year term in the U.S. Senate. Senator Byrd has carried all 55 West
Virginia counties several times, and, impressively, in his most recent
general election in the year 2000, he carried all but seven of the
state's 1,970 precincts. He also has cast more votes than any
other Senator in the history of the Republic, having cast more than
16,200 votes.
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2001
Named West Virginian of the 20th Century
Among
the honors and positions he has held, Senator Byrd has said that he
received his greatest honor in May 2001when Governor Bob Wise and both
Houses of the WV Legislature name him “West Virginian of the 20th
Century.”
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2001
Chairman, Senator Appropriations Committee and Elected President pro
tempore of the Senate (June 2001-2002)
Robert
Byrd has the distinction of having held more leadership positions in the
U.S. Senate than any other Senator of any party in Senate history. He
was elected as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee for the
second time in June 2001. He was also for the second time unanimously
elected President pro tempore of the Senate. He was first elected
“president for a time” in 1989. He held this position until 2002
– a title that placed him third in line of succession to the
Presidency.
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2003
Awarded the "Eleanor Roosevelt Freedom from Fear Award"
The Freedom From Fear Award
is presented annually to those men and women who have demonstrated
an achievement to the principles lined out in the Four freedoms speech
president Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave to the US Congress on 6 January
1941.
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2004
Became first senator in our nation's history to cast 17,000 roll call
votes
On
April 1, 2004, Sen. Robert Byrd cast his 17,000th Roll Call vote against
a "motion to invoke cloture on the committee substitute to H.R.
4." (In English, he voted against welfare reform.)
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2010 Senator Byrd passed away on June 28 at age 92.
Senator Byrd died at 3 a.m. at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
Byrd had been hospitalized for several days with what was thought to be heat exhaustion, but more serious issues were discovered.
Byrd was memorialized at the Memorial Baptist Church in Arlington, Va., in a simplified version of a public ceremony that was held earlier in Charleston, W.Va.
He was buried in nearby Columbia Gardens Cemetery beside his wife Erma, who died in 2006.
