We’re sad to announce the passing of outspoken animal advocate and Washington D.C. legend Senator Robert Byrd.

Byrd was first elected to congress in 1952 and served, uninterrupted, for 58 years — more time than any federal lawmaker in history. While in office, the Senator helped pass numerous laws improving the welfare of animals, and was even named PETA’s ‘Person of the Year’ in 2007.

On The Humane Society of the Untied States’ blog, executive director Wayne Pacelle recalls Byrd’s legacy:

“He worked to increase funding for enforcement of all major animal protection laws, to halt the slaughter of American horses, to crack down on animal fighting, and to reform industrialized agriculture,” says Pacelle. “He took to the floor of the U.S. Senate time and again during the last decade, arguing in only the way he could, from a perspective of Christian conviction and responsibility, for the proper care and decent treatment of all creatures.”

From all of us here at Ecorazzi, we send a ton of love and healing energy to Robert Byrd’s friends and family. A moment of silence for a classy fella.