Kennedy Family Statement
It is a postcard summer morning in New England...the kind of morning that Cape Cod sailors love, a morning you would expect to see a sailboat off of Hyannis Port. This morning, however, the sailboats off the Cape sail without him.
Around here he was known simply as "Teddy" and we cannot remember a time when he was not "our" Senator. The loss of Senator Edward M. Kennedy feels personal as we have never known a time when he was not there, not at the center of an important vote or championing the causes that matter. He was a father figure to not only a family that relied on him no matter their sadness but also to those of us who knew he would be at the helm, in the forefront of important fights, doing whatever it took make it better for us all. Such was our faith in this man whose power grew along with the respect he earned. His personal demons and political mistakes shaped him and helped him become a rarity in American politics, a true leader we trusted.
"The commitment I seek is not to outworn views but to old values that will never wear out. Programs may sometimes become obsolete, but the ideal of fairness always endures. Circumstances may change, but the work of compassion must continue. It is surely correct that we cannot solve problems by throwing money at them, but it is also correct that we dare not throw out our national problems onto a scrap heap of inattention and indifference...."
The news of the loss of "Teddy" Kennedy is not a surprise but a jolt nonetheless. Through his battle with brain cancer The senior senator from Massachusetts made some extraordinary public appearances and never stopped working. In recent weeks, however, he was unable to attend his sister Eunice's funeral and he issued an urgent plea for the fight for health care reform that he spent over 30 years tirelessly fighting for and the issue he declared "the cause of my life."
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Perhaps we just thought he would always be there,as he has been for nearly five decades, fighting the good fight as the last liberal voice, devoting his career to achieving rights and dignity for those who did not have the privileges of the Kennedy name,serving as the family patriarch whose strength and love brought such a center to a family torn by tragedy and pain time and time again.
No matter what this nation faced Ted Kennedy was visibly involved. Even if he stood alone he stood for the people of this country, the people who most needed a voice, and what a voice it was. Senator Kennedy was a tireless force, and one that was respected by both political friends and foes. His voice was genuine and reassuring and committed to fulfilling the "dream that never dies".
Through a lifetime littered with tragedy and pain he stood strong and carried the torch of his legendary brothers with determination fueled by their loss. The Kennedy dynasty is gone with him. He was the last of a family surrounded with a mystique and almost mythical cache that has captivated American life and politics for decades. He was a Kennedy and with that mantle came not only power and privilege but also extraordinary responsibility that would take its toll but also fuel the drive that would bring him to the center of legislative prestige and win him the respect and admiration of allies, constituents and opponents around the world.
This was not to have been his role,he was not the chosen son, the youngest brother left to carry the burden for a family besieged by sadness. He "walks amongst ghosts" it has been said and perhaps it was those very"ghosts" that drove him and made him such a remarkable legislator--as if he could not let them down.
His personal and political mistakes may have kept him from becoming president , he was reckless at times and seemed almost to self destruct, but he got back up and became a true leader and it is entirely possible that was for the best for him and for this country.
He was elected to his brother John's senate seat in 1962 and would serve there the rest of his life. For nearly 50 years in a life that reads like fiction,Ted Kennedy overcame his own personal battles to win so many public ones. He would indeed become the Lion of the Senate, roaring with passion for each bill he fought for, arguing with presidents for the good of this nation. He learned not to be divisive to achieve his goals, but rather to reach across differences and build consensus. In fact some of his closest and dearest friends were found on the other side of the aisle. He knew when to deal and when to pass and he did not let political favor block his vision of what was right and necessary.
"...Let this be our commitment: Whatever sacrifices must be made will be shared and shared fairly. And let this be our confidence: At the end of our journey and always before us shines that ideal of liberty and justice for all...For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
Senator Kennedy,1980
"...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." President Obama
To [Tho] much is taken, much abides
That which we are, we are --
One equal temper of heroic hearts
Strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."
Tennyson
