[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9733-9734]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          SENATOR TED KENNEDY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, first of all, let me say this, before we get 
into Senate business. I made some remarks outside the Senate Chamber, 
as I always do, following our Tuesday caucus. I had with me Senator 
Chris Dodd and Senator John Kerry. The purpose of our being there was 
to talk about Senator Kennedy; and we did that.
  Amidst the politics and partisanship that takes place in the Senate, 
the casual observer may not realize how the Senate is a family. We are 
100 men and women who work hard during the day, each of us doing our 
very best to make the country a better place. We argue, we debate, but 
we approach each other with deep respect and friendship.
  That is why, in the heat of battle, I always refer to my Republican 
counterpart as my friend. That is just not something we do for 
protocol. That is because Mitch McConnell is my friend. We say that as 
we proceed through our debates.
  But just as we, as Senators, celebrate joyous occasions--birthdays, 
weddings, new children and grandchildren--we also face hardship 
together.
  Today, we learned the concerning news about our friend, an American

[[Page 9734]]

icon, an American legend, Senator Ted Kennedy. I know I speak for every 
Senator that our thoughts and prayers are with Ted and his family.
  I had a conversation on the floor with Senator McConnell. He told me 
during the Republican caucus today they paused to say a prayer for 
Senator Kennedy, as we did in our caucus.
  One of Senator Kennedy's brothers was killed in combat in World War 
II. Of course, we all know his brother, President Kennedy, was 
assassinated. We all know Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Senator 
Robert Kennedy, was assassinated.
  As I said outside, the thing I remember and will always remember 
about Senator Ted Kennedy is the speech he gave at his brother's 
funeral. I was not a Member of Congress at that time, but I watched on 
national television the speech he gave. It was remarkable what he said 
and how he delivered it. I will never forget that.
  But in addition to that, we know one thing--all of us who know Ted 
Kennedy--he is a fighter. We have heard this lion roar on the Senate 
floor on so many occasions. His work ethic is unsurpassed. His 
effectiveness is legendary. The challenge Senator Kennedy now faces 
will not be easy, but I think no one is more prepared to fight and beat 
it.
  I spoke at 1 o'clock to Vicki, his wonderful wife, and she said he 
has approached this like he does everything: with determination that he 
is going to beat it. She said he has a bounce in his step today that he 
has not had in a long time.
  So he is in good spirits. He is full of energy. If Ted happens to be 
watching on C-SPAN, I want him to know all his brothers and sisters in 
the Senate are thinking of him, cheering, and praying for him.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader is recognized.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the Republican conference, at noon 
today, paused for a prayer for our friend and colleague, Ted Kennedy. 
As the majority leader has indicated, we are, in spite of our political 
differences, one large family.
  Senator Kennedy enjoys great respect and admiration on this side of 
the aisle. He is, indeed, one of the most important figures to ever 
serve in this body in our history, and Republican Senators recognize 
that as well.
  On a personal basis, he came down to the University of Louisville, at 
my request, a couple years ago to speak to students and the general 
public on the campus. It was a speech of Presidential quality. He knew 
I had been an intern in the office of Senator John Sherman Cooper, who 
represented my State in the Senate for almost 20 years and who was a 
fast friend of his brother, President Kennedy, and of his. He brought 
down with him to U of L that day a framed picture of his brother with 
Senator Cooper, carefully inscribed at the bottom with the most 
appropriate inscription you can imagine. He did not miss a thing.
  Our prayers go out to Vicki and to the family.
  On behalf of every member of the Republican conference of the Senate, 
I say to you, Ted, you enjoy our admiration and our respect, and our 
wishes for a speedy recovery.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.

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