McConnell Center publication by Sen. Robert Byrd now available

(March 15, 2011) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The latest McConnell Center publication includes the speech U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd delivered at the University of Louisville, a foreward and afterword by U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and an introduction by Dr. Gary Gregg, McConnell Center director.
McConnell Center publication by Sen. Robert Byrd now available

U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) visited the McConnell Center on April 17, 2000, and delivered a public lecture to students, faculty and community members. We have printed Byrd's remarks in book form.

Byrd served in the Senate longer than any other man in U.S. History. He also held more leadership positions and cast more votes (more than 18,000) than any other person to serve in that body. Arguably, no one ever knew more about the Senate than did Byrd, and he wrote several books on the history of the Senate and even on the Senate in ancient Roman history.

May the Senate of the United States always enjoy in the hearts of our countrymen that spirit of service...and may God Almighty always watch over and continue to preserve the Senate of the United States!
— U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd

In the McConnell Center's latest publication, "The Senate: Great Forum of Constitutional Liberty," Byrd discusses some of the lessons he learned during his time in the Senate and makes a strong call to defend the institution in the 21st century. The 80-page volume also includes an introduction by political scientist Gary Gregg and a foreword by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, along with several documents relating to the origins of the U.S. Senate during the founding period. It is an instructive volume on the origins, evolution, and current functioning of the U.S. Senate.

The book was published in 2011 by the McConnell Center and is available for purchase through Barnes and Noble.

About the Author

Robert C. Byrd represented the state of West Virginia in the United States Senate from 1959 until his death on June 28, 2010. He is both the longest serving Senator in American history and the longest serving member of either house of Congress. He was elected to more leadership positions than any other member of the Senate. Long regarded as the "Dean of the Senate," he was the author of a multi-volume history of that legislative body as well as The Senate of the Roman Republic.