Byrd Responds To Age Questions

U.S Sen. Robert C. Byrd gave a 20-minute floor speech this morning addressing recent media report that have scrutinized his age and health.

"I have had some time to become accustomed to the increasing distance between the year of my birth and the current date," the 89-year-old told colleagues.

The Associated Press has the story. Besides the earlier-referenced quote from the speech, Byrd also targeted today's youth-obsessed society.

""In a culture of botox, wrinkle cream and hair dye, we cannot imagine that becoming older is a good thing, an experience to look forward to and a state worthy of respect," he said.


MetroNews also has a story, with audio. I offer some background here.