Democrat Youth Movement: 90-Year-Old Sheets Byrd Hands Over Appropriations Chaimanship to Spry 84-Year-Old Daniel Inouye

Nothing like invigorating the party with some young blood.

Sen. Robert Byrd on Friday announced that he will step down from his chairmanship of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee to be replaced by Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.

"I believe that it is time for a new day at the top of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I will step away from the chairmanship ... effective January 6, 2009," said Byrd, a 90-year-old Democrat from West Virginia.

Over the past year, Byrd has had health problems and some Senate Democrats worried he would not be able to withstand the rigors of chairing the committee that helps decide the country's spending priorities.

Democrats had hoped the decrepit former Klansman would step aside.