Washington, DC—The Animal Welfare Institute mourns the passing of Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) and praises his long history of staunch support of animal protection legislation and the numerous impassioned speeches he delivered on the Senate floor on behalf of animals. From his forceful condemnation of dog fighting as brought to light by the case of Michael Vick, to his call for increased enforcement of humane slaughter laws, Senator Byrd was perhaps the most eloquent voice for animals in the US Senate. He will be sorely missed.