[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 22902-22903]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN PATRICK KENNEDY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my colleague and 
good friend, Congressman Patrick Kennedy from Rhode Island.
  I have known and worked with Patrick for more than half of my life 
now. Patrick and I were first elected to the Rhode Island General 
Assembly together in 1988. And I must say, I'm having a bit of a hard 
time imagining coming back to work in January without him serving in 
the Congress.
  I still remember hearing about his first run for the State House, the 
young Kennedy taking on the establishment in Providence. People thought 
that he didn't have a chance, but they didn't know Patrick very well. 
He knocked on every door, shook every hand, and fought for every last 
vote. In the end, that race wasn't even close.
  In the State House, he immediately showed his independence, refusing 
to toe the party line, much to the surprise of the House leadership at 
the time. I remember well one of his early efforts to enact responsible 
gun control measures, an issue that was and is very important to me as 
well.
  Patrick soon arrived in the Halls of Congress, and as the nephew of 
President John Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy and the son of 
Senator Edward Kennedy, an intimidating legacy followed closely behind 
him. But Patrick didn't strive to fill anyone else's shoes. He worked 
hard every day to chart his own course and to fight for his 
constituents in Rhode Island. But, and perhaps without intention, he 
not only upheld his family's own enduring legacy, he carried it forward 
by knocking down new barriers as well. His compassion and commitment to 
promoting social justice for all Americans was clearly evident, 
particularly when he spoke out on behalf of those suffering from mental 
illness and addiction.
  It is because of Patrick's efforts that I and many of my colleagues 
have gained a new awareness of the tens of millions of Americans who 
struggle every day with the hidden disability of mental illness or 
addiction. These people had no voice, no champion until Patrick stepped 
up and took on what so many others were afraid to say out loud. Mental 
health parity legislation passed this Congress because Patrick Kennedy 
fought for every vote, just as he did with that first State House run. 
He met with every chairman, he sat down with every Member, and he 
raised this issue at every event that he went to, even if it meant 
bringing attention to what he once considered his own greatest 
weakness, but he did so without hesitation once he learned that 
speaking openly and honestly about his personal battles could move the 
debate forward and help countless others seek treatment and overcome 
their own challenges.
  Most people know Patrick as a passionate and outspoken advocate for 
millions of people, but to really know Patrick is to watch him sit down 
one-on-one with a constituent, a child or a senior citizen. And where 
politicians are often running from place to place to the next event 
trying to shake the most hands, see the most people, Patrick would 
rather sit down and talk with one person about their experiences, about 
their family, their opinions rather than jump from event to event. He 
really truly cared about what his votes and his actions and the things 
he did meant to each Rhode Islander, and I know how much each 
conversation, each meeting, and each interaction meant to him and how 
it helped him to grow as a legislator and as a person.
  Patrick, I know your dad must have been so proud to serve with you 
for these past 16 years. Together, you forged a better path for social 
justice and equality for the people of Rhode Island and the people of 
our Nation. As you prepare to leave, know that you have made a profound 
difference during your time in this great institution, one that will 
endure and continue to resonate throughout our Nation.

                              {time}  1740

  I look forward to continuing our work together, both inside and 
outside the Halls of Congress. And to quote your dad, Senator Edward 
Kennedy: ``The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, 
and the dream shall never die.''
  With that, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran) the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my great friend, Mr. 
Langevin, from Rhode Island.
  Madam Speaker, no one has brought more passion to the floor of this 
Congress than Patrick Kennedy. Patrick has never hesitated to speak out 
for the poor and the powerless, those who

[[Page 22903]]

faced mental and physical disabilities, those who needed someone on 
their side. The Kennedy family has always been about bringing the 
marginalized out from the shadows. So the entire Kennedy clan should be 
so proud of this man, Patrick Kennedy, and this Nation should be as 
grateful for his presence in this Congress.
  Let me emphasize, Madam Speaker, the fact that mental health parity 
would not have become law had it not been for Patrick Kennedy. That is 
a legacy for which this Nation should always be grateful. Patrick 
Kennedy's legacy will continue for generations to come. We can't thank 
him enough for his service to this Nation and this Congress.

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