[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12442-S12443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO PATRICK MURPHY, FOUNDER OF THE ``FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE'' 
                               FOUNDATION

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
wonderful friend who has left us all too soon, Patrick Murphy of 
Provincetown, Massachusetts, who died last Friday from complication of 
AIDS.
  The poet Yeats wrote about another young man who died too young, in 
lines that apply to Patrick Murphy, too--he was ``all life's epitome. 
What made us dream that he could comb grey hair?''
  Patrick was a very special friend, and we grieve all the more today 
because his life was so tragically cut short. But he lived that life 
with great energy, passion and commitment. And these priceless 
qualities won him countless friends and enormous success throughout his 
lifetime. But even more important, they won him the enduring respect 
and genuine affection of the people whose lives he touched and helped.
  Patrick succeeded where others failed because he would never allow 
himself to be distracted by the mean-spirited. He had a determination 
that could overcome any obstacle or criticism. He was seldom burdened 
by a sense of reality, which made him all the more endearing and all 
the more successful.
  In the Patrick Murphy handbook on life, ``No you can't'' became ``Yes 
you can.'' You can fight the bureaucracy. You can make a difference. 
You can live with AIDS--and never let anyone tell you you can't.
  All of us who knew Patrick knew that he never gave up and never gave 
in. He was the ``ever-ready bunny'' in the television commercial--the 
one who just keeps going and going--ever-ready to fight for all the 
causes we share.
  I remember my own campaign in Massachusetts in 1994. Patrick had just 
left the hospital. But that didn't stop him for a second. Before we 
knew it, he had list after list of events and phone-banks and campaign 
stops he was planning--working skillfully and tirelessly until every 
last vote was counted and victory was won.
  He did the same for Senator John Kerry in his reelection campaign in 
1996--and for President Clinton and Vice President Gore in their 
campaign that year too.
  And he did it all over again for the impressive ``For the Love of 
Life'' Foundation that he founded in 1992 and that will be his lasting 
memorial.

[[Page S12443]]

  In the years to come, the Foundation will remind us again and again 
of Patrick and the power of individuals to make a difference. Ever 
since Patrick created ``For the Love of Life'' in 1992, the Foundation 
has brought greater hope and a higher quality of life to countless 
people living with AIDS--in Massachusetts and across the country.
  The Foundation was inspired by Patrick's extraordinary belief that 
people's dreams can come true. And, the Foundation's great mission has 
been to grant the wishes of individuals and families living with HIV 
and AIDS.
  ``For the Love of Life'' works closely with other AIDS organizations. 
It provides a special extra dimension that others can't.
  For an HIV positive father who could not afford a funeral for his 
infant son who died of AIDS--``For the Love of Life'' made the 
difference.
  For a person living in a hospice in Boston--``For the Love of Life'' 
enabled him to visit his mother in Pittsburgh for one last time, to 
share a birthday.
  The Foundation has helped many others as well--a mother with AIDS to 
attend her daughter's wedding--a teenage girl with AIDS to have a Sweet 
16 party for her family and friends. Because of Patrick's vision and 
leadership, the dreams of countless others will come true.
  As many have said, life is best measures not by its length but by its 
depth--by those magical moments that make life special. Patrick made 
life special for himself and everyone he touched. And in the years to 
come, ``For the Love of Life'' will continue Patrick's great work by 
helping people with AIDS to live life and love life. And for that great 
gift and lesson to all of us--we thank Patrick with all our heart.
  Patrick, for the light you brought to dark hours and for the dignity 
you gave to the human spirit--God bless you and sustain you. Patrick 
said he was always happier and healthier when he had a project. So I 
say now, to Patrick in heaven, may you always have a project!

                          ____________________