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Article: Back in the chair, Byrd speaks slowly and carries a big stick.(A)(Nation)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- July 2, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: John Godfrey
The gavel comes down hard, filling the small room with a loud gunlike report to signal the hearing's beginning.
Some chairmen use their gavels timidly, rapping feebly, using the microphone to amplify the message they are too insecure to relay.
But this is Robert C. Byrd.
The senior senator from West Virginia. Second only to Sen. Strom Thurmond, South Carolina Republican, in age and tenure. The Senate's president pro tempore. Literally, author of the Senate's history.
And with the Democratic takeover of the Senate, Mr. Byrd, 84, is again chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
"In ...