Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Constitution Day


Senator Robert Byrd was born in North Carolina as Cornelius Calvin Sale in 1917. His mother became a victim of the 1918 influenza epidemic and his father sent his son to live with relatives residing in the coal fields of West Virginia. Sen. Byrd's death in June of 2010 leaves a legacy that will be difficult to match. As the longest serving member of Congress, he will be remembered for his lengthy speeches on the Senate floor, the money and projects obtained for his home state of West Virginia, his books on the history of the Senate, and his love of the Constitution. Validating his love of the Constitution is Sen. Byrd's sponsorship of Public Law 108-447, Section 111, enacted December 2004. This law changed September 17th from the original Citizenship Day to Constitution Day.

Come to the Ort Library and view the materials in the display case on floor 3 to learn more about Sen. Byrd and Constitution Day. Please pick up your free pamphlet on the Constitution from the table by the display or as you exit the Library.

Photograph by P. Williams.