August 25, 2009, Edward Moore Kennedy, youngest son of the late Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, younger brother to John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy, and Senior Senator from Massachusetts departed this earth. Since the moment the news broke, that the last of the Kennedy brothers was no longer with us, the endearments and heartfelt remembrances have poured forth from the American public. It can easily be said that there is nary an American alive today that has not been touched in some way by the legislation this man worked to pass in almost five decades of service.
The list of major legislation proposed, and or passed by the efforts of Ted Kennedy reads like a high point history of the Senate s last fifty years. The Civil Rights Act, The Voting Rights Act, and the Immigration and Naturalization Act, which undid the quota system based on national origin for those wishing to immigrate to the United States. The latter was his own legislation, the two former two of the most history changing pieces of legislation that he shepherded through the chamber. The list continues, Title Nine, SCHIP, Medicare, Medicaid, The Americans with Disabilities Act, all championed and passed by Ted Kennedy.
Through it all he was unapologetically liberal; for many the definition of the word. Through it all he remained humble, charming and utterly sincere, often gaining friends in the opposition while passionately defending a cause he believed in. I could go on and on, filling pages about a man that has lived one of the most remarkable of American lives, but instead, I think we should take stock of what we as Democrats, and a nation, have lost.
We have lost the Lion of the Senate, a term of endearment given as much for his years of service as for his fierce will to defend that in which he believed, and unwillingness to be tamed even by long odds. We have lost a tireless voice for the average American. Ted Kennedy found his calling in lending a voice to those who had none in the halls of government, and spent a lifetime advocating for the least of these that they might have a better life. He was a tireless spokesman for a higher minimum wage, more opportunities for women and healthcare for all Americans. We have lost a man that would not be stopped, not by personal failings, not by the tragedy of two brothers laid low by assassin s bullets, not by a plane crash in 1968 that broke his back in twelve places, but not his spirit.
Edward Kennedy belongs to history now. In 77 years on earth he picked up the standard of his fallen brothers and advanced it far beyond where anyone dreamed. When the diagnosis came, that he had brain cancer that was most likely terminal, he continued to press forward. He lived long enough to pass the torch he had carried for so many years to a new generation. He lived long enough to stand before the party and the people he had served for so many years one last time; to proclaim for all that the dream, his dream lives on, and in that moment receive the thanks for a life spent in service to others. One year from that night, the new President whom he chose to carry forward his causes in office, his life s work, health care for all up for national debate and closer at hand than ever before, Ted Kennedy left this life.
All of us, friends, admirers, family, Democrats and Republicans are left only with memories now. But we can take comfort that this man of deep faith is at rest now, and that somewhere, beyond this life, three brothers are together again the two older welcoming the younger, and looking back on a world left far better than when they found it.
This is the first post of many. I wish it could be under happier circumstances. I will catch up with all of you further on up the road.
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” The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream will never die.”– Sen. Ted Kennedy. Nice tribute. Welcome aboard.
” The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream will never die.”– Sen. Ted Kennedy. Nice tribute. Welcome aboard.