Robert Byrd: 1917-2010

President John Kennedy shakes hands with Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W. Va., at American University graduation exercises in Washington, June 10, 1963. The university gave Kennedy an honorary doctor of law degree. Byrd earned his bachelor of laws degree, cum laude, through night school study.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John F. Kennedy, D-Mass., second right, is welcomed by, from left, West Virginia Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jennings Randolph and State Attorney General and Democratic nominee for governor, W.W. Barron, far right, September 19, 1960.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

2.AP6406100120.jpg — AP Photo/Harvey Georges

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W. Va., repacks his briefcase after keeping the Senate in a round-the clock session with a more than 15-hour speech on Jan. 10, 1964. The 46-year-old foe of the Civil Rights Bill said he made his marathon speech in hope of defeating efforts to cut off debate on the bill, but later apologized for his efforts to defeat the bill.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

Senate Majority Leader Robert Byrd, D-W. Va., plays a tune on his fiddle, as he appeared on ABC-TV's "Good Morning America" show in Washington on Jan. 22, 1977.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

1.AP03013006424.jpg — AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va, left, and Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., talk to reporters on Capitol Hill to discuss the situation in Iraq, January 30, 2003.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

6.AP040722026396.jpg — AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, is embraced by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., at a bookstore in New York, July 26, 2004. Clinton said Byrd was her mentor and that he has been a champion of the U.S. Constitution.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

7.AP100628010587.jpg — AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., is pictured with American bald eagle "Challenger" on Capitol Hill in Washington, during the announcement of a resolution for American Eagle Day, April 12, 2007.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

9.AP080430053993.jpg — AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Sen. Robert Byrd., D-W.Va., bangs the gavel on Capitol Hill in Washington, prior to outgoing Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's address to a joint meeting of Congress, April 30, 2008.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

8.AP100520046861.jpg — AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Sen. Robert Byrd., D-W.Va., bangs the gavel on Capitol Hill in Washington, prior to outgoing Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's address to a joint meeting of Congress, April 30, 2008.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92

10.AP090806053618.jpg — AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., accompanied by long time staffer and scheduler Martha Anne McIntosh, waves as he arrives back on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 6, 2009.

Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia Dies at 92