On the Death of Ted Kennedy
Statement from President Obama:
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts.
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.
And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.
posted by JimK at 7:25 AM
4 Comments:
I met Ted Kennedy once. I was working for a temp agency after my Freshman year in college and was sent to Hickory Hill to help set up a party on the lawn.
I happened to be the anniversary of RFK's death and they had a priest come by and hold a mass on the back patio.
One of the maids told me that the Kennedys require all the help to attend any religious services performed on the premises so I went over and sat right behind him.
After the Mass, he turned and introduced himself. I made a few a few jokes about how he should run against Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination.
He seemed like a great guy.
Unlike many of the partisan Democrats now in control, he always seemed to able to establish a warm rapport with conservatives and find areas of common benefit. I know he frequently socialized with the C Street gang, so recently attacked here.
America will miss him.
Ted Kennedy was an advocate for all that is good and right. As many have noted the LGBT community had no better friend than Ted Kennedy. His list of accomplishments on behalf of LGBTs is listed here:
http://www.365gay.com/news/hrc-lists-kennedys-record-of-equality/
‘The Cause of My Life’ By Edward M. Kennedy, NEWSWEEK Published Jul 18, 2009
Senator Ted Kennedy, Denver, CO, Aug. 25, 2008 Democratic National Convention
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Caroline.
My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here.
And nothing -- nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight.
I have come here tonight to stand with you to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals, and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States.
As I look ahead, I am strengthened by family and friendship. So many of you have been with me in the happiest days and the hardest days. Together we have known success and seen setbacks, victory and defeat.
But we have never lost our belief that we are all called to a better country and a newer world. And I pledge to you -- I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate when we begin the great test.
< the crowd chants "Teddy! Teddy!" >
Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
For me this is a season of hope -- new hope for a justice and fair prosperity for the many, and not just for the few -- new hope.
And this is the cause of my life -- new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American -- north, south, east, west, young, old -- will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege.
We can meet these challenges with Barack Obama. Yes, we can, and finally, yes, we will.
Barack Obama will close the book on the old politics of race and gender and group against group and straight against gay.
And Barack Obama will be a commander-in-chief who understands that young Americans in uniform must never be committed to a mistake, but always for a mission worthy of their bravery.
We are told that Barack Obama believes too much in an America of high principle and bold endeavor, but when John Kennedy called of going to the moon, he didn't say it's too far to get there. We shouldn't even try.
Our people answered his call and rose to the challenge, and today an American flag still marks the surface of the moon.
Yes, we are all Americans. This is what we do. We reach the moon. We scale the heights. I know it. I've seen it. I've lived it. And we can do it again.
There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass true, we will reach our destination -- not merely victory for our Party, but renewal for our nation.
And this November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans, so with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.
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