It has been some time since I sat down to blog. File under past due! I got very side tracked chronicling every Red Sox game at www.dak126-sox09.blogspot.com during the 2009 season. I had wanted to honor Senator Edward Moore Kennedy with some heart-felt words when he died August 25, 2009. But I didn’t know where to start and so I didn’t. After the special election last Tuesday I began to think it’s time. The election saw the seat occupied by Ted Kennedy for nearly 47 years go to a little known but tireless campaigner Massachusetts Republican State Senator, Scott Brown.
Needless to say it was a staggering blow to those who believed in Kennedy’s life-long ambition that good and decent health care be made available to all Americans including low income people as well as those with pre-existing conditions. The Democratic candidate, State Attorney General Martha Coakley, seemed to take her election as a given, failed to connect with the people and generally speaking wasn’t a very good ‘candidate’. These factors plus an angry electorate tired of the tight job market, the bank bailouts, the big bonuses, the perceived out of control spending and the rancor of Washington politicians all contributed to the 5% triumph of our new Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, the first Republican elected to that office since Edward Brooke in 1972.
On an emotional level it’s a strange irony that the man who will succeed Senator Kennedy will now have the 41st vote which effectively blocks the health care legislation currently before Congress. My hope is that both sides of the aisle will put aside partisanship and really work together to accomplish what the American people are looking for among other things more jobs and a better economic climate.
To honor Edward M. Kennedy and his service to our country I begin with his very own words:
“I grew up in a large Irish Catholic family as the youngest of nine children. By their words, their actions, and their love our parents instilled in all of us the importance of the ties that bind us together – our faith, our family and our love of this great country.”
Ted Kennedy spent his whole career in public service working for the underdog, for those less fortunate, for those in need often giving voice to the powerless. To recount but three of the senator’s accomplishments I start with the fact that today there are 1200 community health centers in all 50 states giving low income Americans access to quality primary care due in large part to Senator Kennedy’s vision and inspired work.*
Next, in the words of Reg Weaver, the immediate past President of the National Education Association:
“Every major education law passed since the 1960’s has borne Kennedy’s imprint, from Head Start to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. He has proven himself, time and again, to be a fighter for children and educators.”
Finally, Senator Kennedy has always been a leading Congressional advocate of a fair minimum wage. Fittingly, he saw the minimum wage increase 16 times during his years of service in the United States Senate.
Countless words have been spoken about the senator and how he was the master of compromise enabling him to get the people’s business done. Even more words of praise were spoken during the period of mourning after Edward Moore Kennedy died last August 25th. The public wake at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum saw folks standing in a line half a mile long for many hours to pay their respects. In a classy gesture, Vicki, Ted’s wife and other members of the family spoke to those waiting in line and thanked them for their presence and support.
Ted Kennedy was an outstanding and devoted senator. His friends and colleagues, both Republican and Democratic, gave memorable tributes at his funeral. But the most emotional and moving words came from his son, Edward Kennedy Jr. Losing his leg to cancer and battling the disease as a child Teddy spoke about how his father’s love and determination to help him made all the difference in his young life. Family man, loving husband to Vicki, father to the children of his assassinated brothers, John and Robert, tireless legislator, and advocate for those in need are just a few ways to describe this amazing man.
Was he a perfect man? No, far from it but he knew enough to change his harmful behaviors and to address his destructive ways. He was a man of faith who was humble and sorrowful enough to write to Pope Benedict XVI shortly before he died of a malignant brain tumor to ask for prayers and to seek forgiveness for any wrong-doings.
It goes without saying that I have long admired the Kennedy family, their service to America often at a great price, their willingness to stand up for and with common folks, their dedication to serving in the military, their closeness as a family and most of all the help given to the many with no fanfare or sought for recognition.
An accomplished sailor Ted found great solace and renewal in his closeness to the sea and especially those beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean at his beloved Hyannisport, MA home. Rest in peace, Teddy, the ninth and youngest child of Joseph Patrick and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy you always seemed to renew my optimism in what was possible.
I will close with a thank you to Senator Edward M. Kennedy for his kind and generous heart and for all that he did to make the lives of ordinary Americans better. You are missed beyond imagining…
*Source: http://kennedy.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Kennedy%20Accomplishments.pdf
