Byrd, Dole Attend Zorinsky Funeral Service

OMAHA — A delegation of 18 senators, including Majority Leader Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) and Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), attended the funeral Sunday for Nebraska Sen. Edward Zorinsky, whose death was also mourned on Capitol Hill.

More than 1,200 mourners attended the traditional service at Beth El Synagogue here in Zorinsky’s hometown.

Zorinsky, 58, died Friday after performing in the Omaha Press Club show, where he sang a song lampooning his political life. Zorinsky was elected mayor of Omaha as a Republican in 1973. He switched to the Democratic Party in 1976 and was elected to the first of two Senate terms.

“You could never really categorize Ed because he always did the things he believed were right,” said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), who had been asked by the senator’s widow, Cece, to give the eulogy.

Zorinsky was buried at Beth El Cemetery. Representatives from each branch of the armed services served as pallbearers.

Gov. Kay A. Orr, a Republican, has not yet appointed someone to serve the two years remaining in Zorinsky’s term.