[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to pay respect 
to the life and character of our dear friend Ted Kennedy. A man as much 
a part of this institution as the very walls of the Capitol, Ted has 
earned his place in the world's history books and will never be 
forgotten.
  I consider myself privileged to have worked with Ted on several 
important issues, ranging from hate crimes legislation, to our time 
together on the Judiciary Committee. Ted was responsible for the 
Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, an important piece of legislation 
providing protection for vulnerable Americans that I was proud to 
cosponsor. He was instrumental in the passage of SCHIP, a program that 
now insures the health of millions of children across the country. The 
impact Ted Kennedy had on civil rights legislation throughout his 
career is simply immeasurable. Countless programs now serving the 
American people could not exist today if not for the hard work and 
determination of Ted Kennedy.
  One of my most vivid memories working with Senator Kennedy was during 
the now well known confirmation hearings of Robert Bork for the Supreme 
Court. Ted spoke eloquently and with conviction against Judge Bork's 
nomination, fearing the erosion of civil rights that would occur were 
he confirmed. Ted refused to let this erosion of rights take place, and 
I am proud to have joined him in his fight against the nomination of 
Robert Bork.
  Ted proved through his actions, both on and off the Senate floor, 
that he was, above all, a man of compassion. The single unifying theme 
of Ted's distinguished body of work was his clear commitment to the 
people of this great country. His love for the American people was 
clear through the legislation he so strongly supported. Ted's greatest 
concern was for the well-being of every American, and he made it his 
mission to ensure the underprivileged received the fair treatment they 
deserved.
  In his lifetime, Ted Kennedy was able to accomplish more than most 
men could ever dream of accomplishing. I have no doubt that if we were 
lucky enough to have him with us today, he would continue to add even 
greater accomplishments to his already impressive resume. Ted will be 
deeply missed.

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