Senator Byrd to step down

Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. (ind.) of Virginia has announced that he will not seek reelection to the Senate seat his family has held for nearly 50 years. He said that he decided in the summer of 1980 to step down in 1983 and that he will to devote the rest of his term to controlling inflation, expanding the economy, and reducing centralization of power in Washington.

Mr. Byrd was appointed in 1965 to the seat his late father had held since 1933. The junior Byrd was elected in 1966 and, after breaking with the Democratic Party, was reelected as an independent in 1970 and 1976.

Rep. Paul Trible (R) of Virginia is eyeing a possible Senate bid and several Democrats--including former Attorney General Andrew Miller - are believed to be interested in the seat.