Last updated on: 12/30/2010 | Author: ProCon.org

Robert C. Byrd, JD Biography

Title:
Former US Senator (D-WV)
Position:
Con to the question "Was Bill Clinton a Good President?"
Reasoning:

“He [Bill Clinton] squandered a lot of his time and his talents. He could have done a lot more and a lot more good. He’s been a disappointment, in many ways, to the American people.”

Crossfire, CNN, Jan. 19, 2001
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • US Senator (D-WV), 1959-2010
  • Chairman, US Senate Appropriations Committee, 2007-2009
  • Recipient, West Virginian of the 20th Century, 2001
  • Chairman, US Senate Appropriations Committee, 2001-2003
  • President pro tempore of the US Senate, 1989-1994
  • Chairman, US Senate Appropriations Committee, 1989-1995
  • Majority Leader, US Senate, 1987-1988
  • US Senate Minority Leader, 1981-1986
  • Majority Leader, US Senate, 1977-1980
  • Elected US Senate Majority Whip, 1971, 1973, and 1975
  • US Congressman (D-WV), 1953-1959
  • Senator, West Virginia State Senate, 1951-1952
  • Delegate, West Virginia State House of Delegates, 1946-1950
  • Member, Freemasons
  • Member, Klu Klux Klan (KKK), 1942
Education:
  • BA, Political Science, Marshall University, 1994
  • JD, cum laude, American University, 1963
  • Attended Beckley College, Morris Harvey College, Concord College, and George Washington University School of Law
Other:
  • Born Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr. on November 20, 1917, in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
  • Died June 28, 2010 at age 92
  • During World War II he worked as a welder for cargo ships in Baltimore, Maryland, and Tampa, Florida
  • Called his decision to join the KKK “the most egregious mistake I’ve ever made.”
  • His 51 years in the US Senate, longer than anyone else in history, plus his six years as a Congressman makes him the longest-serving member of Congress.
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Was Bill Clinton a Good President?