Robert Byrd: U.S. Senator 1959-2010 (20 images)

Senator Alan Cranston of California (L), Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia (C) and Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii (R) join hands December 12, 1984 after they were re-elected to lead the Democratic minority in the Senate for 1985. Byrd was re-elected as Senate Democratic leader, Cranston as assistant Democratic leader and Inouye as party secretary. (UPI/File)

Senator Robert Byrd (D, WV) pts his hand to his mouth as Rep. Jim Wright (D-Texas) (L) walks away after the two met with President Ronald Reagan at the White House on December 5, 1986. (UPI Photo/Doug Mills/Files)

Senate Majority leader Robert Byrd (D, WV) seems surprised while talking with fellow Democratic Senators at a caucus on December 4, 1980. Byrd was elected Minority Leader while Sens. George Mitchell (C) was elected head of the Steering Committee and Daniel Inouye (R), was elected Chairman of the Democratic Conference, when the 97th Congress convenes in January. (UPI Photo/Don Rypka/Files)

Incoming Majority leader Howard Baker (L) greets outgoing Majority leader Robert Byrd on December 4, 1980 as the Senate tries to close down work on the 96th Congress by December 5. Baker takes over the duties when the 97th Congress convenes in January. (UPI Photo/Darryl Heikes/Files)