Robert Byrd, a decorated United States Senator and legislator from the state of West Virginia, died on June 28th, 2010, at the age of 92. He served in the United States Senate for an unprecedented 51 years, first elected in 1958 and re-elected 5 times. In office, he championed the causes of the working class, and his lengthy tenure documenting and advocating for the betterment of West Virginia earned him the title of “Lion of the Senate.” Born Cornelius Calvin Sale, Jr. on November 20th, 1917 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, he dedicated his life to public service and the prospects of social justice. He worked as a welder during World War II, and went on to attend university, later earning a degree as a lawyer from American University. In his decades of public service, Byrd cast thousands of votes, advocated for bills, and sponsored hundreds of congressional initiatives. He also held the honored distinction of serving as a Grand Kleagle in the post-Civil War-era Ku Klux Klan. He ultimately denounced his actions and apologized. Byrd is remembered for his decades of service to West Virginia and the country, and he will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Erma, two sons, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.