[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 129 (Monday, September 14, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9318-S9319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DESIGNATING THE KENNEDY CAUCUS ROOM

  Mr. DODD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 264, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 264) designating the Caucus Room of 
     the Russell Senate Office Building as the ``Kennedy Caucus 
     Room.''

                              S. Res. 264

       Whereas, during the last century, few rooms have borne 
     witness to as much history as the Caucus Room of the Russell 
     Senate Office Building;
       Whereas, during the last century, few families have played 
     as integral a role in the history of the United States as has 
     the Kennedy family;
       Whereas the Senate mourns the passing of Senator Edward 
     Moore Kennedy, one of the most accomplished, effective, and 
     beloved Senators of all time;
       Whereas Senator Edward Moore Kennedy played a role in every 
     major national debate during the last 50 years, serving as a 
     constant champion of the disadvantaged and overlooked;
       Whereas the legacy of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy includes 
     not only his prolific achievements on behalf of the people of 
     the United States, but the enduring friendships he formed 
     with colleagues on both sides of the aisle;
       Whereas the wit and passion of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy 
     and his perseverance in the face of adversity will be 
     remembered in equal measure to his impressive legislative and 
     rhetorical skills;
       Whereas Senator Edward Moore Kennedy was part of a proud 
     family tradition of public service, which included 2 other 
     distinguished Senators;
       Whereas never before have 3 brothers served in the Senate, 
     and rarely have any 3 brothers served the United States so 
     well;
       Whereas John Fitzgerald Kennedy served the people of 
     Massachusetts with distinction in the Senate, before being 
     elected the 35th President of the United States;
       Whereas Robert Francis Kennedy served the people of New 
     York with distinction in the Senate, after serving as the 
     64th Attorney General;
       Whereas Edward Moore Kennedy served the people of 
     Massachusetts with distinction in the Senate for nearly half 
     a century, acting as a tireless advocate for those who might 
     otherwise have been without an advocate;
       Whereas the Senate has been greatly enriched by the 
     dedication, compassion, and talent of the 3 Kennedy brothers 
     who served as Senators;
       Whereas, in the Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office 
     Building, the people of the United States have commemorated 
     tragedy, celebrated triumph, and held hearings of great 
     importance on the most important issues facing the Nation;
       Whereas it was in the Caucus Room of the Russell Senate 
     Office Building that both Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy and 
     Senator Robert Francis Kennedy announced their intention to 
     run for the office of the President of the United States;
       Whereas a spirit of passionate advocacy and deep respect 
     for the institution of the Senate should govern the 
     deliberations that take place in the Caucus Room of the 
     Russell Senate Office Building; and
       Whereas the Senate wishes to honor the life and work of 
     Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, to recognize the contributions 
     of the 3 Kennedy brothers who served as Senators, and to 
     celebrate the spirit of public service exemplified by the 
     Kennedy family: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate designates room 325 of the 
     Russell Senate Office Building, commonly referred to as the 
     ``Caucus Room'', as the ``Kennedy Caucus Room'', in 
     recognition of the service to the Senate and the people of 
     the United States of Senators Edward Moore Kennedy, Robert 
     Francis Kennedy, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Madam President, I wish to take a second and thank, first 
of all, the majority leader, Senator Reid, for his support in this 
effort. I recognize as well our colleague from Massachusetts, Senator 
Kerry, who is my lead cosponsor in this effort and a very close and 
dear personal friend of Ted Kennedy for many years. And I thank our 
colleagues.
  We are joined by the presence of our colleague from the other body, 
Senator Ted Kennedy's son Patrick, who serves with great distinction in 
the other body. I am pleased he is here with us at this moment to watch 
this resolution be adopted.
  I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, en bloc, and

[[Page S9319]]

that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 264) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The Senator from Massachusetts.
  Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I thank the distinguished Senator from 
Connecticut. There was no closer or better friend to Ted Kennedy than 
Chris Dodd. I admire and respect his many efforts in the Senate to 
fight the fights in the spirit of Ted Kennedy.
  This could not be more appropriate, and I do not think anything more 
needs to be said. I thank him, and I thank the majority leader. It is 
wonderful to have Patrick, Congressman Kennedy, on the floor of the 
Senate to share in this moment.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.
  Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I join, of course, Senator Kerry, Senator 
Dodd, and Congressman Kennedy in honoring Patrick's father and the 
Kennedy family in what used to be the Russell caucus chamber. There is 
no more appropriate place, I believe, to honor Senator Kennedy than 
right there.

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