Interim West Virginia University President C. Peter Magrath issued the following statement on todays announcement that Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), 90, the longest-serving senator in history, is stepping down as chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

WVU and I thank Sen. Byrd for his superb service as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Byrd is one of Americas greatest legislators, who has done enormous good for countless people, including his beloved state of West Virginia. He has been instrumental in targeting funds to important endeavorsfrom homeland security and medical research at West Virginia University to highway construction and other state transportation projects. We wish him many more years of service in the Senate and look forward to his continued leadership.