Our Lost Patriarch

The Kennedy family and the Senate family have together lost our patriarch. My thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire United States Senate, are with Vicki, Senator Kennedy's children, his many nieces and nephews, and his entire family.

It was the thrill of my lifetime to work with Ted Kennedy. He was a friend, the model of public service and an American icon.

At so many difficult times in their family's history, the Kennedys have turned to their Uncle Ted for comfort. And at so many critical times in our country's history, America has turned to Ted Kennedy for the same.

We remember how he walked solemnly with a grieving First Lady in Arlington; how his deep love for his brother helped him somehow summon the strength to deliver a defining eulogy in New York; how, as patriarch, he memorialized his nephew off the shores of Massachusetts.

For decades, Ted Kennedy was a rock to his family. And the impact he has etched into our history will long endure.

It is now left to us to remember the man who helped remember the lives of so many others. It is now up to us to celebrate the Senator who helped so many live better lives.

I have been a devotee of the Kennedys since my time at Utah State University, where I founded the first Young Democrats Club. President Kennedy sent me a letter at that time, which I still have hanging in a prominent place in my office. Every time Senator Kennedy came into my office, he would stop and read his brother's letter.

I appreciate immensely the opportunity to go from the Young Democrats Club to working with such a strong champion of what Democrats stand for: equality, opportunity and progress.

Senator Kennedy's legacy stands with the greatest, the most devoted, the most patriotic men and women to ever serve in the halls of government.

Because of Ted Kennedy, more young children could afford to become healthy. More young adults could afford to become students. More of our oldest citizens and our poorest citizens could get the care they need to live longer, fuller lives. More minorities, women and immigrants could realize the rights our founding documents promised them.

And more Americans could be proud of their country.

Ted Kennedy's America was one in which all could pursue justice, enjoy equality and know freedom.

Ted Kennedy's life was driven by his love of a family that loved him, and his belief in a country that believed in him.

Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the founding fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize.

The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die.

Comments

[R.A.]

The loss is personally devastating and the news a shock - I really thought (hoped) that, of anyone in the world, Ted Kennedy could beat these odds.

I still vividly recall standing among the gravestones at Arlington Cemetary for hours, so deeply saddened, waiting for JFK's funeral cortege to pass by. The last of the Kennedy brothers is gone. How strange and empty it seems for the world now to be utterly without them.

It is more than the end of an era or the end of a legacy, it's the loss of the unflagging champion of all that is best and most human in us.

[capitaldysfunction]

Thank you for your words and your leadership. Senator.

And may the Senate soon pass a health care bill with a true public option as a tribute to Edward Kennedy.

[Zen0469]

Enthusiastically seconded!

[creolechild]

If you are concerned about receiving "real" health care reform in this country, please take the time to watch a video on our current system. The video was created by Oregon physicians who are advocating for the single-payer option. The video is very informative and helped me to gain a better understanding of various aspect of health care, as we know now it.

https://www.madashelldoctorstour.com/Mad_as_Hell_Video.html

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.

[ObamAtomic]

I take this opportunity,Mr Reid the best way you and others can honor
Mr Kennedy, passing a Public Option,an stronger one,do it!

[bangagong]

If you want to honor Sen. Kennedy, give us a health bill with a STRONG public plan option.

Quit listening to Republicans. when they started their lying campaign they quit the debate and are no longer partners in any sense of the word. Insurance companies will always find a way to increase their profits at the expense of our lives. I want 100% of my premiums to go to helping with HEALTH, not profits, mansions and yachts.

Weak, "affordable," plans that only cover 70% of expenses are another joke. If this is the only plan you can afford you're already living on the bottom. You get sick, you'll go bankrupt.

What would Kennedy do?

[jemborg]

Wow! I'm a freedom loving Aussie and I find this paranoia over decent pubic health care amazing.

We've had it for almost 30 years.

I've expounded on this in many of Huffo's threads but let me simply say... America you deserve better, do not believe the Conservative lies.

NB: It took two goes in my country to get universal Medicare established. The Conservatives got rid of it when they got voted back in. The Labor Party re-established it at the next election after that. And although they have undermined it every time they got back into power the Conservatives don't dare try to get rid of it again. What I am getting at here is you have to push HARD for it- it's NOT going to happen through bi-partisanship.

[WellTickleMeWillie]

Senator Reid:
My sentiment as well regarding Ted Kennedy.
However, as leader of the Senate, you MUST stop worrying about what ReThugs think and how conservative react to progressive health care legislation. We don';t need obstructionists. Just do the right thing and pass a strong public health option. You will go down in history along with Teddy amongst the greatest Senator if you do.

[stick458]

He's pretty busy right now building that train to nowhere. Not to mention trying to hang on to his job. Doesn't leave much time.

[Darnamell]

That "train to nowhere" would save a lot of lives and be very good for business on both sides of the stop, something know-nothing assclowns like you would realize if you actually lived in the region.

Not that I've been a huge fan of Reid as majority leader, but he's my senator and I'll back him when he's being attacked by gomers.

[Bienville]

Strong Public Option. Anything less is Failure.

Stop wasting your time and ours by negotiating with Republicans. Isn't it obvious they are not bargaining in good faith?

[sherifffruitfly]

It only means ANYTHING if you act within your capacity as Majority leader to get a strong public option healthcare bill through the Senate. If you do this, you *might* end up being a more effective majority leader than Daschle was.

Might.

[REMCAR88]

DONT USE EMOTION TO RUSH THROUGH A BILL. DO IT RIGHT, THEN NAME IT AFTER KENNEDY WHEN IT IS A PROGRAM THAT WILL WORK

[uglygnome]

Is a sixty year fight for health care reform "to soon". You think this conversation just started a few months ago?

[cinkramer]

Senator Reid,
It is time you stand up and be a LEADER in passing meaningful health care reform for all citizens of the U.S. Enough of allowing so-called "blue dog" Democrats cower in the face of a vocal but INSIGNIFICANT group of right-wing extremists. Enough of allowing big health care insurance companies and providers push their agenda in order to continue absurd profits on the misfortunes of those who are in their weakest state of being. Stand up and LEAD!

[Daly]

YES!

[Ladywolf1955]

Cinkramer is absolutely correct. Live up to Senator Kennedy's fine example and LEAD the charge for health care for ALL!

[Mihailo]

Dear Senator Reid,
Your sentiments are well founded and beautifully made. Ted Kennedy was a great man who contributed to making America a more just nation.

Let us not dishonor his memory, but let us pick up the torch on the fight of his life: guaranteed access to quality health care for all, including the non-negotiable component of a govt Public Plan Option. It must be enacted; failure is not an option. RECONCILIATION NOW. It must be named after Edward M. Kennedy. No more delay, Senator Reid. Now is the time to move forward without hesitation.

[LOveJen]

That When Health Care is a Bill, That it will BE called The Kennedy Bill…And So It Is….

[clevelandchick]

Mr. Reid,

I cried this morning when I heard of Ted Kennedy's passing. I didn't know the man but I knew his fight for the people...he was one of the few trustworthy true blue Democrats left in the Senate. Most of you in that body with a D next to your name are Republican­-lite....t­aking millions from corporations to work for them not the people, throwing the people crumbs.

If you don't pass health reform with a ROBUST public option....then your words here today mean nothing. We aren't judging you on your words but your actions.

Stand with the Progressives, stand with Ted Kennedy's legacy or be another phony politician. It's your call but remember, the people are watching. 2010 will not be a good year for Democrats if Kennedy's cause for the people is not realized.

[TheNovak]

Dear Senator Reid,

Yes, it is a great tragedy that we lost Sen. Kennedy. It is a similar tragedy that, through your lack of leadership and willingness to stand for a strong public option, let alone the single-payer system that Sen. Kennedy would have preferred, you are allowing his dream of health care reform to fail yet again.

Please, do not let a bill that could end up bearing his name in memorial be defeated by the obstructionists from outside your party and the corrupted insurance industry payees from within.

[gussiecat]

Senator Reid, those are beautiful words you have written about Ted Kennedy. Now DO something beautiful, like stand up and LEAD the fight for us, the American People. You have become nearly invisable, not a peep, just watching and waiting? Stand up and DO SOMETHING, do it for Ted who fought for YEARS for healthcare and died without seeing it happen. LEAD OUT LOUD!