AUGUSTA — Maine Gov. John Baldacci has ordered flags to half-staff today and Tuesday to honor the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia.

Byrd died early today at a Virginia hospital at age 92 after a Senate career that stretched more than a half-century. Baldacci, a fellow Democrat, described Byrd as “an institution in Washington and in the United States Senate” who bore witness to “great change and progress.”

Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe described him as “a distinguished, iconic legislator.” She said he served as “conscience and champion of Congress.”

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