[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 97 (Friday, July 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                HAPPY 104TH BIRTHDAY, MRS. ROSE KENNEDY

  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, in the annals of our country, few families 
can lay claim to such a record of distinguished public service as can 
the Kennedys of Massachusetts.
  During just my own career, I have been privileged to serve here in 
the United States Senate with John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and 
our distinguished colleague, the senior Senator from Massachusetts, the 
Honorable Edward M. Kennedy.
  Currently serving in the House of Representatives is Representative 
Joseph P. Kennedy II, the son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
  And in other public positions, younger members of the Kennedy family 
have followed the path of public service and public leadership.
  I remind our colleagues of this well-known record as a preface to 
extending my own greetings to the lady who, on the occasion of her 
104th birthday today, Friday, July 22, stands as the matriarch of this 
incomparable family of patriots and public servants, Mrs. Joseph P. 
Kennedy, known with the deepest affection to millions upon millions of 
Americans and other people around the world simply as ``Rose.''
  Mr. President, I know of no other woman in American history who can 
lay claim to having been the mother of three men who reached the United 
States Senate and one son who served as President of the United States.
  If for no other reason, that would merit our attention here as Mrs. 
Kennedy celebrates her 104th birthday.
  But for an added reason, Mrs. Kennedy deserves our attention on the 
occasion of her birthday.
  Just as Mrs. Kennedy deserves the gratitude of our country for the 
contributions that her sons have made to our national life, just so, 
Mrs. Kennedy deserves our admiration for the nobility with which she 
has carried herself as a cruel Fate struck blow after blow after blow 
against her in the loss of her sons in service to our national life, 
including her oldest son, Joe, who lost his life in military service 
during World War II.
  The loss of one such son--cut down in his prime and at the moment of 
such unexcelled promise--might be sufficient to push one beyond the 
limits of endurance. But Rose Kennedy lost three sons.

     The benediction of these covering heavens
     Fall on their heads like dew! for they are worthy
     To inlay heaven with stars.

  Rose Kennedy is a woman of deep and genuine religious faith--a woman 
whose vision stretches beyond temporality into eternity. Buoyed by that 
faith, Rose Kennedy bore her grief and her losses with a hope touched 
by the Love of God and blessed by a Comforting Spirit.

     Was never mother had so dear a loss!

                           *   *   *   *   *

     Alas, you three, on me, threefold distress'd,
     Pour all your tears! I am your sorrow's nurse,
     And I will pamper it with lamentations.

  Mr. President, with her strong faith, against all odds, Rose Kennedy 
prevailed and shared her victory with her fellow countrymen and women 
to the point of inspiration.
  Mr. President, with fascination, we oftentimes study the biographies 
and careers of the great men and women who peopled the histories of 
other mighty nations and past empires. Usually these biographies 
feature the lives of renowned personages--Alexander the Great, Julius 
Caesar, Queen Elizabeth I of England, Louis XIV of France, George 
Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, to name but a few.
  But in the history of every nation are men and women who have made 
their contributions to their countries with perhaps less fame--those 
men and women who, through their own faithfulness, character, resolve, 
and courage, have helped to forge the character of those whom they 
loved--their mates, their offspring, or their friends--thereby leaving 
their own imprint on history.
  Certainly, Rose Kennedy is one of these--those known best to those 
whom they have loved most dearly, but who, at same time, is admired by 
others who understand the contributions that her steadfastness has 
meant to those nearest to her.
  So, on this special day for Rose Kennedy, I know that I speak for our 
colleagues who are proud to serve with her illustrious son whom we know 
as Ted Kennedy, and I know I speak for Mrs. Kennedy's admirers and 
well-wishers everywhere in saying, ``Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, 
Happy Birthday Mrs. Rose Kennedy.''

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