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

Washington, DC -- November 21, 1986 --- Senator Robert Dole R-Kansas, enjoys himself as he laughingly points to Senator Robert Byrd D-West Virginia, to tell reporters to talk to him because he will be the new Senate Majority Leader. The pair had just completed their meeting with President Reagan in the Oval Office at the White House. (UPI Photo/Vince Mannino)

The new Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker (R-TN)(L), with the new Senate Minority Leader Robert Byrd (D-WV), call President Jimmy Carter simultaneously on January 6, 1981, to tell him that the 97th Congress has convened. (UPI Photo/Files)

Senator Robert Byrd D-West Virginia (L) and Country-Western entertainer Roy Clark are seen here May 14, 1984 performing at the Kennedy Center during a benefit for the National Hospital for Orthopedics and Rehabilitation. (UPI Photo/Bob Strong)

Democratic Senators Robert Byrd (D-VA), Alan Cranston (D-CA), and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), L-R, in the 2nd row seem less enthusiastic on January 26, 1982 during the State of the Union address in Washington by President Reagan, while some of his Cabinet members in the front row applaud and are far more relaxed. They are, L-R: Treasury Secretary Donald Regan, Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger, Attorney General William French Smith, Interior Secretary James Watt and Agriculture Secretary John Block. (UPI Photo/Rich Lipski/Files)