Sen. Ted Kennedy's (D-MA) political life was marked by perseverance in the face of tragedy and the quintessential Irish qualities of grit, determination and tenacity. Kennedy turned the cloud surrounding Chappaquiddick and his unsuccessful 1980 White House bid into decades of public service. And he turned years living in the shadow of his brothers' legacy into a distinguished career of his own, becoming one of America's most influential and longest-serving senators.
Many point to Kennedy's concession address at the 1980 convention -- when he electrified the crowd with his "dream-shall-never-die" speech -- as an illustration of his life in service. "For all those whose cares have been our concern," Kennedy declared, "the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
And because his life was marked by second chances, he believed in giving others the same opportunity. He took up the torch of reform, fighting for increases to the minimum wage, financial aid for students and campaign-finance reform. As a defender of the poor and disadvantaged, he called the fight for universal health care the cause of his lifetime.
Kennedy's legacy is one that challenges an often cynical and complacent Washington to remember that there is room for second chances. And at a time when Obama's health care reform has struggled under political difficulties and legislative hurdles, it is Kennedy's career that reminds us never to discount the possibility of change.
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These Oregon physicians are in the process of organizing a caravan designed to inform the public about the benefits of the single-payer option. At last count they will be stopping in approximately 23 states, on their way to demonstrate in Washington. They need volunteers and our support. Please spread the word.