Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) in 2008. (Getty Images)
In honor of Sen. Robert Byrd, flags at the White House will be flown at half-staff. Today, his body will lie in the Senate chamber before being flown to West Virginia for a memorial service. Friday, there will be a public viewing at a memorial attended by Congressional leaders and President Obama and then the body will return to Washington D.C. for a burial where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Emma.
The Senate passed a special resolution to allow the casket to be displayed. However, there will be no television allowed and only one photographer. Takeaway Washington correspondent Todd Zwillich details the plans for honoring the Senator and explains the historical significance of lying in repose, noting that it is a rare occurrence. A Senator has not laid in repose since 1959.
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