Byrd, yesterday:``I apologize for the characterization I used on this program. The phrase dates back to my boyhood and has no place in today's society. As for my language, I had no intention of casting aspersions on anyone of another race,'' according to the statement read on air.

NAACP President Kweisi Mfume was not particularly impressed by Byrd's apology. He telephoned The Associated Press to say the fact that Byrd felt ``comfortable enough on nationwide TV to refer to any group in that manner suggests that any progress he has made on race is relative.''