[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H10054-H10056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING SENATOR KENNEDY

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  In this case, the idea that individuals can be friends from different 
sides of the aisle, and even if they disagree on some things political, 
it occurs more often than a lot of people might expect. In fact, that's 
probably one of the unwritten stories of Congress. And I'm glad it 
exists.
  Certainly on the surface there is an extreme partisanship. Sometimes 
that is regrettable. But underneath the surface, there are friendships 
that can occur, for which I think both sides and both friends can be 
grateful, and I am certainly in that category.
  Mr. MARKEY. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. I will be happy to yield to the gentleman.
  Mr. MARKEY. I thank the gentleman for his great words. And we thank 
all of the other Members for their participation in this Special Order.
  The Record is going to remain open so any Member that wishes to make 
a comment about our great Senator Ted Kennedy may do so.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senator Edward M. Kennedy--a 
mentor, a friend and the greatest Senator our country has ever known.
  While it is still difficult to imagine these hallowed halls without 
Teddy, today we honor the man who was an inspiration to all of us who 
have answered the call to public service. And while one hour is not 
nearly enough to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Sen. Kennedy, 
today we pause to celebrate the life of this extraordinary man.
  Never afraid to 'sail against the wind' in the name of justice, 
equality and opportunity, Teddy was a treasured friend, a tireless 
advocate for the people of Massachusetts and a legislator without peer. 
Throughout his distinguished career, he helped bring health care to 
millions of children, enabled many young people to afford a college 
education and ensured that so many of our citizens could realize the 
American dream.
  I am honored to serve with his son Patrick and to know his other 
children Teddy Jr. and Kara, his beloved wife Vicki and all the members 
of the Kennedy family. And there is no doubt that his trusted friend 
and former staffer, Paul Kirk, will serve with distinction in his 
interim appointment.
  Teddy was `an idealist without illusions,' as his brother, the late 
President John F. Kennedy used to say. He came to the Senate to get 
things done. He was unafraid to reach across the aisle to make a deal 
and he counted some of his staunchest ideological foes among his 
closest friends. But he never compromised his core beliefs in justice, 
equality and access to the American dream.
  From his first speech on the Senate floor in support of the Civil 
Rights Act until his valiant final fight for health care reform, when 
Ted Kennedy spoke, you knew you were hearing the ``true compass'' of a 
committed, principled progressive.
  He transcended petty politics to become ``the lion of the Senate,'' a 
legislator like no other. Teddy's was an unmatched legislative career, 
which included 47 years in office, more than 2,500 bills authored and 
scores of laws bearing his name.
  On issues of war and peace there was no better moral compass than 
Teddy. He picked up the banner of nuclear arms control from his fallen 
brother John and fought tirelessly to reduce the threat of nuclear 
weapons and make the world a safer place. Beginning in the 1980s, Teddy 
worked closely with me to highlight the dangers of a nuclear arms race 
between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and the need to prevent the 
proliferation of nuclear weapons.
  In 1982, when I introduced the first nuclear freeze resolution in 
Congress to stop the buildup of nuclear weapons, no one thought we 
could do it. But it was Teddy who led the fight for a freeze in the 
Senate, paving the way for a dramatic showdown with President Reagan 
that made it necessary for the Reagan Administration to embrace nuclear 
arms control--a course it initially had rejected.
  Our country is a better place because of Ted Kennedy. For the worker 
who struggled to

[[Page H10055]]

make ends meet in a minimum wage job, Ted Kennedy was there. For the 
new mother caring for a newborn, Ted Kennedy was there. For a family in 
need of health care for a sick child, Ted Kennedy was there. For a 
planet in peril due to the threat of nuclear war, Teddy was there.
  And now we must be there for the causes that Senator Kennedy 
championed throughout his long and distinguished career.
  In his final days, Senator Kennedy wrote a letter to President Obama, 
reminding us all of just what is at stake in the health care debate. 
``What we face is above all a moral issue,'' he wrote. ``At stake are 
not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social 
justice and the character of our society.''
  And there is no one who better understood those principles than 
Teddy.
  At the Democratic Convention in 1980, when it was clear that Teddy's 
inspired campaign for the nomination had come to an end, he was still 
fighting for the issues he cared about.
  Just hours after he delivered his famous speech declaring that the 
``dream shall never die'' I went up to see him in his hotel room 
headquarters. And what struck me that night and stays with me to this 
day, was that instead of being heartbroken after coming up short in his 
quest for the presidency, there was no defeat in that hotel room. 
Instead, Teddy was triumphant. Despite the difficult day, he was still 
in high spirits.
  Although he was a great Senator before that day, it was on that 
night, that he truly began his transformation into the ``Lion of the 
Senate,'' the master legislator fighting for the issues that mattered 
most: health care, civil rights, education, human rights and others. 
That night, like so many other nights in his long career, he was able 
to transcend misfortune and shape something bigger. To commit to a 
cause larger than himself.
  Above all, I will remember Ted Kennedy for his sense of hope. In 
rough seas and in calm, he always believed our better days were just 
ahead. In his final fight, the dignity and grace he showed was an 
inspiration to us all.
  And throughout a long life of tragedy and triumph he never faltered 
in his belief in this country and its highest ideals. From landmark 
legislation like The Americans with Disabilities Act that touched the 
lives of millions, to simple gestures like reading to schoolchildren at 
a school near the capitol, Teddy believed in the American dream and 
helped so many to realize it.
  And although the mighty Lion has passed on, Teddy's roar in defense 
of the disadvantaged and vulnerable will echo eternally in the halls 
and history of America, inspiring future generations to service, self-
sacrifice and a commitment to our country's highest ideals.
  And as we pause to remember this great man, the task now is to follow 
Teddy's immortal words and ensure that the causes which he championed 
shall endure, that his hopes will live on and his dreams of a better 
future for everyone shall never die.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember the 
outstanding life and legislative achievements of U.S. Senator Edward M. 
Kennedy.
  I was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976 and 
although that is over 33 years ago, Ted Kennedy had already been 
serving in the U.S. Senate for over a decade. The achievement of being 
the third longest serving Senator in our history is an accomplishment 
in its own right, but Senator Kennedy affected public policy in such a 
substantial and enduring way that the length of his time in office is 
really only one achievement in his remarkable journey.
  Senator Kennedy boldly championed landmark legislation to improve the 
lives of all Americans. He fought fiercely for the poor and the 
disadvantaged. His legislative achievements include being a major 
player in a wide range of issues; from addressing funding for cancer 
research, health insurance reform, benefits for the mentally disabled, 
discrimination against disabilities, and the Children's Health 
Insurance program to Civil Rights, and education reform. Kennedy always 
considered healthcare the pinnacle issue of his legislative career, and 
it was a great achievement for him to see comprehensive healthcare 
reform moving further along in legislative process than it ever has 
before, five of the six committees handling the healthcare bill had 
passed them out of committee at the time of his passing.
  One of his most recent achievements was the signing into law of The 
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009. This landmark legislation 
tripled volunteer opportunities across the country and created a new 
service corps for education, health care, energy, and veterans.
  Although Kennedy was diagnosed last year with a malignant brain 
tumor, he continued to play a major role in the healthcare debate, and 
up until his final days he was truly the ``Lion of the Senate'' serving 
fiercely and passionately on behalf of so many Americans both in 
Massachusetts and around the country. August 25, 2009 was surely a sad 
day for all of us--but although Kennedy's life was filled with tragedy, 
his life was also filled with triumph. His victories in life far 
surpass most men and women's and his story is one of humanity and 
progress.
  Senator Kennedy was a great statesman and a true leader, who cared 
deeply about America's future and I am honored to have served in the 
United States Congress with him. I extend my deepest sympathy and 
heartfelt condolences to Senator Kennedy's wife and family, and hope 
they take comfort in knowing that his legend and legacy carries on in 
the hearts and memories of a grateful nation.
  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who dedicated 
his life to the people of Massachusetts. The passing of Senator Ted 
Kennedy has left our Commonwealth without its principal champion, and 
while we grieve, we take solace in remembering the magnitude of his 
many accomplishments during almost 47 years in the United States 
Senate.
  I am proud to have served with Senator Kennedy as a Member of the 
Massachusetts Delegation and humbled when I recognize what we have 
lost. His work impressed me before I was elected to Congress, but it 
was in this context that I came to know Senator Kennedy personally and 
witness his insight and intelligence and his formidable skills as a 
legislator. His ability to recognize an important and often daunting 
goal, and then effect legislation to achieve that end, was 
unparalleled. The testimonies we have heard from friends and colleagues 
in recent weeks bear witness to that.
  Ted Kennedy's approach to government had been instilled in him from 
an early age--that we must, no matter our position in life, strive to 
help those in need and speak up for those whose voices cannot be heard. 
It is a lesson both he and his brothers took to heart and to which they 
gave their lives in service. Senator Kennedy knew the people of 
Massachusetts needed his help, but his compassion did not stop there. 
He often championed national causes and shepherded major legislation 
with broad impact across the country: ensuring civil rights, expanding 
children's health insurance, establishing the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, strengthening education and service programs, and 
finally the effort he called ``the cause of my life''--reform of our 
health care system.
  Senator Kennedy soared to great heights in the Senate. He achieved 
immense influence among his colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, 
while never compromising his progressive values or quenching his 
fighting spirit. The personal touch he lent to relationships with 
colleagues and constituents told of his deep connection to the work he 
was doing and his dedication to being the most effective Senator that 
chamber has ever seen.
  I can say I am a better person for having known Ted Kennedy. I am 
saddened by his loss not only for myself and for the people of 
Massachusetts, but for the citizens of a grateful nation. Indeed, the 
world mourns the loss of his passion for justice and peace. We must all 
strive to honor his legacy and continue fighting for the causes he 
defended with such vigor.
  Lest it be forgotten or overlooked, Ted Kennedy was also a father and 
husband. I offer my deepest condolences to Vicki, Kara, Ted Jr., 
Caroline, Curran, and of course my colleague Patrick. I thank each of 
you for allowing us to share this great man with you. He is, and will 
always be, greatly missed.
  Mr. NEAL of Masschusetts. Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Senator 
Edward M. Kennedy last month, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts lost 
its greatest champion, and the United States of America lost one of its 
strongest voices for fairness, equality and justice. Personally, I lost 
a treasured friend. From civil rights to health care, from voting 
rights to Head Start, Ted Kennedy played a significant role in the 
passage of some of the most important legislation in our lifetime. I 
have often said his record in the United States Senate is unrivaled. 
And I believe history will remember him as the most effective 
individual to ever serve in that institution.
  The Ted Kennedy his friends and colleagues knew was a kind, 
considerate, generous, funny, thoughtful and hard working person whose 
presence lit up the room. His personality and charisma were contagious. 
He loved his family and spoke about them with great pride. During good 
times and bad, he was always there with a phone call or a note. When it 
came to western and central Massachusetts, he always offered to help. 
He was a master of detail. His ability to work across the aisle was 
legendary. At the end of the day, Ted Kennedy made a difference in the 
lives of countless individuals.
  For the past year he faced one of the most difficult challenges of 
his life. But he did so with characteristic dignity and grace. Whether 
it was sailing on Cape Cod in his beloved Mya, or throwing out the 
first pitch at Fenway

[[Page H10056]]

Park, he taught us how to live life while facing adversity. And in the 
process he became an inspiration for us all.
  I became interested in public service during John F. Kennedy's 
historic campaign for president nearly 5o years ago. Since then, I have 
been an outspoken and loyal supporter of the Kennedy family. It has 
been the honor of a lifetime to call Ted Kennedy my friend. His 
extraordinary life and legacy will never be forgotten. As we pay 
tribute to him tonight, my thoughts are with Vicki, Kara, Edward Jr, 
Patrick, Curran, Caroline and the rest of the Kennedy family. He will 
never be forgotten.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, what a remarkable life Edward M. Kennedy 
lived. When I first met Senator Kennedy in 1963, I mistakenly believed 
he was in office because of his family connections. As I watched and 
interacted with him over the subsequent decades of his great 
legislative career--matched by few if any--he demonstrated a strong 
work ethic. No one worked harder. He had a deep commitment to freedom, 
fairness, and justice, and his persistent defense of the `little guy' 
was absolutely genuine. The result is a body of legislation that has 
brought equality, justice, and opportunity to millions. This towering 
figure was an inspiration to so many of his colleagues, and he showed 
each of us--from the most senior to the most junior--the highest level 
of consideration.
  My thoughts go out to his family, including his wife Vicki and his 
son Patrick, who is a close friend of mine. Edward M. Kennedy will live 
on in the accomplishments he leaves. May all of those close to him know 
we are grateful for his service to the nation.
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, today we gather to recognize the 
legacy of a man who will surely be remembered among the great 
legislators in our nation's history--``the Lion of the Senate''--
Senator Ted Kennedy.
  Senator Kennedy was a champion for peace and justice throughout his 
entire career, and our nation is undoubtedly a better place thanks to 
his leadership over the years--in particular on the issues of 
education, health care, and civil rights.
  I vividly remember the first time I met Ted Kennedy.
  I was interning in Washington, DC in the summer of 1974, at a time 
when there were very few African American interns on Capitol Hill. My 
friend, the late Ron Brown, was working for Senator Kennedy at that 
time, so I called him and requested a meeting with my fellow African 
American interns.
  Senator Kennedy immediately granted our request--we met with him a 
few hours later and knew immediately that we were truly in the presence 
of greatness.
  More recently, I attended several election events with Senator 
Kennedy during the primary election.
  I had the pleasure of attending the American University rally for 
Senator Obama where Senator Kennedy first announced his support and 
delivered one of the best speeches of the entire campaign.
  A few weeks later, I attended an amazing rally at the Beebe Memorial 
Cathedral in Oakland where I was honored to introduce Senator Kennedy 
before he delivered another amazing speech.
  The line to get in the door seemed to stretch for miles as supporters 
waited with anticipation to see this great statesman and warrior for 
peace and justice.
  Over the course of his career in public office, Senator Kennedy 
underscored the meaning of the phrase ``to whom much is given much is 
required.''
  His legislative legacy is unrivaled, and affects the lives of tens of 
millions of Americans every single day--especially the less fortunate 
among us.
  But despite his countless achievements, there is one unfinished piece 
of business that was dear to his heart that we must continue to fight 
for: achieving universal health care in America, and doing so in a way 
that truly reforms our broken health care system.
  In a letter written to President Obama shortly after learning of the 
terminal nature of his illness, Senator Kennedy described our nation's 
current health care crisis as a ``moral issue''--which concerns ``not 
just the details of policy, but the fundamental principles of social 
justice and the character of our country.''
  Senator Kennedy knew, as we know, that healthcare is a fundamental 
human right.
  Let us work to pass real health care reform, not just in remembrance 
of the cause that was this great man's life work, but because we see 
this issue as he saw it--as a test of our society's integrity.
  Last week I had the honor, alongside my colleague, the Honorable 
Kendrick Meek, of presenting the late Senator Kennedy with the Mickey 
Leland Award at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual 
Legislative Conference Awards Dinner.
  The award, received by his son, the Honorable Patrick Kennedy, was 
bestowed upon him in recognition of his lifetime's work in providing 
opportunities for society's less fortunate.
  From civil rights, to education, and finally to health care, the late 
Senator Kennedy is destined to be remembered as a true champion of 
equality and opportunity.
  Our charge now is to keep this noble legacy alive by renewing our 
efforts to ensure that health care reform--his great, unfinished 
cause--provides each and every American with the universal and 
affordable coverage that was his vision.
  I look forward to working with you in the weeks to come to do 
everything we can to make sure that happens.

                          ____________________