Kennedy Family Marks Anniversary Of Ted's Death

BOSTON — Sen. Edward Kennedy's family marked the anniversary of his death in Massachusetts with a Mass and the renaming of a community health center in his honor Wednesday.

Family members including Kennedy's widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, attended a memorial Mass at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville near their Cape Cod home. Kennedy's son Edward Kennedy Jr. spoke later in Worcester at the renaming of the health center.

Kennedy said his father helped create the community health center movement around the country and always felt a close connection to the push to deliver health care to those most in need.

"He really was the most proud of his association with the community health center movement," Kennedy said during the ceremony under a drizzling sky. "Rather than being a reminder of his loss, it's actually been very comforting and gratifying to know that he really touched so many people in so many ways."

The senator died a year ago at age 77 from brain cancer. He had spent 47 years in the Senate.

The year since Kennedy's death has seen big changes in the political landscape of Massachusetts and in the Kennedy family.

Kennedy's other son, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Democrat from Rhode Island, who checked himself into rehab in June 2009, has had a tumultuous year.

Last fall, he got into a public spat with Providence Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin following Kennedy's criticism of the church's opposition to health care overhaul legislation over abortion funding. That began a weeks-long argument with Tobin culminating in the revelation that the bishop had asked Kennedy in 2007 to stop taking Holy Communion because of the Catholic congressman's support for abortion rights.

In February, Patrick Kennedy said he would not seek a ninth term in Congress after spending roughly half his life in elected office.

In Massachusetts, the race to fill Kennedy's Senate seat ended in a surprise when a Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in part by pledging to vote against President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Kennedy had called the expansion of health care his life's work.

"I have great respect for his service to our state," Brown told reporters Wednesday. "My feelings and thoughts go out to the Kennedy family."

Comments

[kallou22]

08:26 PM on 08/26/2010

The Kennedy's believed in public service. I miss them.

[getsit]

01:12 PM on 08/26/2010

Despite his riches he was a man of the people and our voice in Congress. He was a champion. I wish another Kennedy would take his banner and run with it. There aren't enough Congressmembers left who care about the health and welfare of the American People. Those that exist are being disenfranchised by the corporate friendly.

[mmsuki]

11:41 AM on 08/26/2010

Teddy was my Senator and I miss him terribly. He was the finest of them all, IMO.

[dmsdzinr]

10:50 AM on 08/26/2010

The SPIRIT & GRAVITAS of the Senate ended with the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy. One wonders if America will ever be graced with a politician like Teddy ever again?

[plan-uts]

06:25 PM on 08/26/2010

I truly hope not. But rest in peace Ted.

[SweetestTaboo]

10:42 AM on 08/26/2010

Had he lived, the HCR Bill would not be the sham that it is. There would have been some kind of public option or Medicare buy in. After Kennedy worked so long for universal health care, I think he is flipping in his grave at the what Congress signed and called universal health care.

[Seattlelite]

12:24 PM on 08/26/2010

For the people who if not for this bill would still not have health care, I doubt they see it as a shame. Should and could this bill be improved yes! And I encourage everyone to keep the pressure on their local representatives to make the changes so this bill helps all Americans.

[theseusofaustralia]

01:25 PM on 08/26/2010

i dont think he was any better then the rest of the politicians, to believe he was is kinda nieve.

[taylorskid]

01:55 PM on 08/26/2010

You don't think Ted Kennedy was better than most politicians? Are you serious?

Ted Kennedy spent 47 years fighting for programs to help the least powerful. He fought, with some other Dems, against the invasion of Iraq. He challenged his own party when he thought Jimmy Carter's pessimistic views were dangerous to the country. He stood up to Bill Clinton's 'welfare reform act', when so many others went mute.

The man had passion, a strong believe in public service, and he changed the lives of millions Americans.

And then to suggest it's 'nieve" (sic) to recognize those attributes, is amusing.

Name just one other politician that comes close to Teddy's record.

[CarolinaYankee]

09:01 PM on 08/26/2010

It is not naive to believe this man was a bit more special than most, he could actually deal with people with different opinions and come to an understanding, something that is lacking in Washington since he left. RIP Senator Kennedy.

[taylorskid]

10:37 AM on 08/26/2010

Being from Boston, I have many memories of the Senator.

One of my favorites: His fiery debate with Mitt Romney. Polls had it being close, until the great debate at Faneuil Hall in Boston. That night, I had a party and invited some democrats who were pondering the unforgiveable: voting for Mitt Romney.

The debate started off rocky. Teddy was nervous. Mitt looked young and poised. Teddy looked old and shaky. Some guests were saying: "See, it's time for Teddy to go. He's old."

But then it happened. Like Seabiscuit, Teddy found his groove and began to run. For every issue Mitt Romney mentioned, Teddy replied, "well I agree with you and that is why I wrote this bill, sponsored that bill."

Teddy started getting momentum. There just wasn't anything Romney could say about an issue that Teddy hadn't sponsored. On abortion he said of Romney's lukewarm, wavering support: "It's not that he's anti choice. It's not that he's pro choice. It's that his multi choice is the issue". The crowd cheered. After that, there was just no stopping Ted Kennedy. The lion didn't sleep that night, he roared. It was a great night for Kennedy supporters. My guests, in 90 minutes realized, what so many us knew all along: there was just no finer senator than Teddy Kennedy. He faltered. He fell. But he always fought for social justice, economic justice, and health care for all.

Rest well, Senator. You are missed.

[OnlyIfIHaveTo]

12:06 PM on 08/26/2010

I was driving in the Boston area that week and heard him at a campaign rally on the radio. He started to invoke the names of his brothers, almost like a vote for him would be a vote for John or Bobby, to continue the struggle. Desperate and cheesy, yet it worked.

[taylorskid]

12:48 PM on 08/26/2010

Not quite. Mitt Romney suggested that Ted Kennedy was in politics to make money. Whereupon Ted roared back "The Kennedys are not in public serive to make money. We have paid too high a price."

It was lights out for Mitt Romney after that. Mitt lost the debate and never recovered.

[hillaryj]

10:17 AM on 08/26/2010

I miss you, Ted..........you were our Beacon of Light!

(((Hugggsss))))) Vicki..............

[Paula Richmond]

10:14 AM on 08/26/2010

The roar of this mighty lion of the Senate is truly missed.. it just leaves such a void that will never be filled.. Sail the wind Teddy boy.. we miss you.. now THIS was a great politician.. and he DID care..

[GiovanniJones]

10:11 AM on 08/26/2010

One year sober, congratulations!

[dmsdzinr]

10:06 AM on 08/26/2010

The Senate lost its CLASS when it lost Ted Kennedy!

[Aldyth]

09:57 AM on 08/26/2010

A year has shown that the world is not a better place for your departure, Senator Kennedy.

[dax49]

09:55 AM on 08/26/2010

Republicans continue to hold the record for hypocrisy

[okiedemocrat]

09:51 AM on 08/26/2010

Please tell me that Orrin (VOTE NO on healthcare) wasn't there. Probably just sent a nice card....

[taylorskid]

10:46 AM on 08/26/2010

He was there and gave a lovely speech.

[MARYHOBE]

09:25 AM on 08/26/2010

He was never President but instead became the preeminent legislator of post-Watergate Washington. He came from a family that required public service of its offspring and that service had cost the lives of his 3 brothers. After a life of sacrifice, I feel he left with satisfaction and a view of the goals he had worked all his life to achieve; he saw an African American President and the first steps toward universal health care. Thank you Senator Kennedy for showing us the best that we can be.

[PC0207]

09:22 AM on 08/26/2010

I'm still trying to get over the fact that it has been a year already! As Michael McKLA posted earlier: "I hope you're having a better time up there than we are down here."