Senator Byrd talks about the history and importance of the Constitution
In a speech to a large and appreciative audience in the WVU
College of Law's Lugar Courtroom April 15, West Virginia Senator
Robert C. Byrd outlined the history of the U.S. Constitution and
made an impassioned plea against forces he feels are threatening
it.
"I believe that our Constitutional structure is increasingly in peril, and that it is the people's branch [Congress] which is in most danger of giving way," Byrd warned. The speech was the highlight of the event "200 Years of Balance: A Symposium on the History of the Constitution and the Balance of Powers."
Byrd traced the influences that led to the establishment of the U.S. Constitution, including the framers' knowledge of political theory and Classical history, the British and colonial experience, and their great familiarity with state constitutions and the first, flawed U.S. constitutional document, the Articles of Confederation.
Byrd said establishment of a bicameral legislative body was an important feature of the Constitution. This structure, along with separate executive and judiciary branches, provides for "checks and balances" among the three branches of government. Byrd said he believes these checks and balances are now threatened.
In particular, he said, through enabling the chief
executive to use a line-item veto, Congress forfeited much of
the "power of the purse" that history has placed in
the legislative branch.
The president was given line-item veto authority in 1996, and used it until the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional on June 25.
"This essential tool-control of the purse by the people's representatives in Congress-lies at the very foundation of our freedoms," Byrd said. "This control of the purse is one of the most effective bulwarks ever constructed to repel a despot, control a tyrant, or shackle the hands of an overreaching executive."
Byrd recommended that students receive a strong education in history as well as social studies."We can build upon the respect and reverence we still hold for our Constitution," he said. "But we had better start now before, through ignorance and apathy, even that much slips away from us."
The senior statesman received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his talk, and was visibly moved when a special WVU scholarship was announced to commemorate the symposium and the devotion and service of the senator and his wife, Erma, to the state and nation.
Amy Quigley