Ted Kennedy, My Friend and Colleague

I had hoped and prayed that this day would never come. My heart and soul weeps at the loss of my best friend in the Senate, my beloved friend, Ted Kennedy.

Senator Kennedy and I both witnessed too many wars in our lives, and believed too strongly in the Constitution of the United States to allow us to go blindly into war. That is why we stood side by side in the Senate against the war in Iraq.

Neither years of age nor years of political combat, nor his illness, diminished the idealism and energy of this talented, imaginative, and intelligent man. And that is the kind of Senator Ted Kennedy was. Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy believed in a simple premise: that our society's greatness lies in its ability and willingness to provide for its less fortunate members. Whether striving to increase the minimum wage, ensuring that all children have medical insurance, or securing better access to higher education, Senator Kennedy always showed that he cares deeply for those whose needs exceed their political clout. Unbowed by personal setbacks or by the terrible sorrows that have fallen upon his family, his spirit continued to soar, and he continued to work as hard as ever to make his dreams a reality.

In his honor and as a tribute to his commitment to his ideals, let us stop the shouting and name calling and have a civilized debate on health care reform which I hope, when legislation has been signed into law, will bear his name for his commitment to insuring the health of every American.

God bless his wife Vicki, his family, and the institution that he served so ably, which will never be the same without his voice of eloquence and reason. And God bless you Ted. I love you and will miss you terribly.

In my autobiography I wrote that during a visit to West Virginia in 1968 to help dedicate the "Robert F. Kennedy Youth Center" in Morgantown, "Senator Kennedy's voice quivered with emotion as he talked of his late brothers and their love for West Virginia. 'These hills, these people, and this state have had a very special meaning for my family. Our lives have been tightly intertwined with yours.'

I am sure the people of the great state of West Virginia join me in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the Kennedy family at this moment of deep sorrow.

Comments

[mi]

As frail as he seems at times,
Senator Byrd has never backed
down from a controversy, just like
Ted Kennedy.
Thank you sir.

[devans00]

The Senator Byrd - Senator Kennedy friendship is a great example of birds of a feather, flock together. I'm rooting for Senator Byrd to keep fighting the good fight, as long as he can.

[Forest]

Dear Senator Byrd,

Thank you for the energy you have committed to your beliefs. You have always fought for
the Constitution as our golden template. Not too long ago, I feel we came close to losing
it to an irrational agenda. The American people have spoken and I am grateful for leaders
like you and former Senator Kennedy who protect us.

[yellowdogminnesotan]

This is why I'm a Liberal! God Bless you Ted and Robert!

[jim7283]

You do know Byrd was a former member of the KKK and ardent segregationist who worked to filibuster the 1964 Civil Rights Act correct? To align his & Teddy's politics is to ignore the first 20 years of Byrd's political career, which is simply something I cannot do...

[rgblue]

Those who have partaken of the devil's feast are those best prepared to defeat the evil.

That's what forgiveness, second chances, revelations, and lessons learned can lead to.

[NotBeatenYet]

We're waiting for Jeff Sessions to show the same humility.

[definitelyNOTmisterRIGHT]

jim7283, i am saddened that senator byrd agreed with the bush/cheney/rove style policies of so long ago. at least he did a complete 180 degree turn and continues to fight the good fight!

[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.

[henri09]

this is great! thanks!

[johnashman]

Single payer is plagued with problems - no incentives to bring pricing down, incentives to over medicate, over test, do too many surgeries. Bureaucracy. Slow to react to changes. And more.

This has no such liabilities -

http://64.203.97.61/SolutionsLab/Solution.aspx?Guid=2d50363e-00be-44e8-9251-9a6589ba820d

[oneeleven]

what you've described as "single payer" is the system we currently have. And the solution outlined at this link does not take into consideration that a minimum of 25% of households in this country earn between 10,000-25,000--they cannot afford the very basics of living as is, much less if additional taxes are levied.

[joanVA]

This is a loving tribute to Sen. Kennedy. I too hope that Kennedy's unfortunate passing will prompt a reasoned discourse and timely passage of the Kennedy Health Care Reform Bill. Thank you Senator Byrd for proposing the name change.

[Martha12]

Senator Byrd is the last ....gentleman....a courteous and honorable man, man of his word, man of honor, polished man, and a refined man, in the senate.

[Reality Czech]

yes a true Southern gentleman

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105.html

[crankypants21]

As someone with Northern Ireland roots who emigrated to Canada as a child and grew up (and is now a proud citizen) of this flawed but wonderful northern country, I take a great interest in the politics of the United States and the movements of its people. You, too, have a great nation there, and it is the riving of terrible partisanship that has hurt me to watch over this past decade.

Senator Byrd, I know when you got news of Senator Kennedy's condition, it hit you hard and hurt you terribly. You, sir, are an honest gentleman for sharing your feelings here, and I'm grateful to read them. Thank you.

And this is a massive loss to all of North America. For all the obstacles – some of them, yes, set up by himself, which he openly admitted – Senator Kennedy faced, he was able to rise above with dignity and respect for his constituents. He stayed true to his course, he listened, he learned, he spoke and acted forcefully when he knew he had to, and he was properly conciliatory when the occasion called.

Senator Kennedy was not only a great advocate for the American people, he became a great man. There is no one I have seen yet in American politics who I will miss more.

Best wishes to you and your fine country.

[ChristopherLib]

Thanks Senator Byrd; A great memorial for your your friend and hero of millions of Americans, Ted Kennedy.

[ArtLiquidBlogspot]

THANK YOU Senator BYRD,

Well Put! Amazing,how one person,gave so much to all people!
Not just to the Top 1%..............He cared for all people!

[Cindy Becker]

Dear Senator Byrd,

Thank you for this eloquent tribute to Senator Kennedy, And thank you for all the magnificent work you have done for our country. My heart goes out to you. May each passing day lessen the deep sorrow you have at loss of your dear friend.

[Ontrackmac]

Thank you Senator Bryd.

Thank you Senator Edward Kennedy for all you have done for America.
May your tireless efforts,your spirit and Legacy guide our government to a meaningful Health Care Reform in 2009.

(peace) ☧

[alwaysthere]

Gentlemen

i don't get to say that much anymore

Gentlemen

God, that feels good.

[Flavor]

I just loved this icon, this man showed us what it is to carry out your mission in life, he fault a good fight and finished his course and now he is resting in peace. Thank You, Mr. Kennedy for showing us what character looks like, Thank You Mr. Kennedy for showing us what diligence face looks like, Thank You Mr. Kennedy, for getting knocked out in the ring of presidency and getting back in the ring and continuing to fight giants bigger than you with a (winning) outcome. Who can find a man who admitts he failed in one thing but found the one thing that he excelled in and conquered it to it's fullest. Well done thou good and perfect servant. Find me a man who hasn't made mistakes in his lifetime, you won't, but find me a man who thinks about the mistake he made and learns from it and continues to carry out his mission in life, there are many.

[Bulbul]

What a way to go....RIP Edward Kennedy.
Beautifully written Senetor Byrd. Edward Kennedy proved to be a human who never stopped growing and learning. He made mistakes along the way and suffered more for that and every single day he strived to be a better and selfless person. True, he never became the President but being a Senetor he was able to be more effective for decades. Same with Eunice, a great human being , the brother and sister gave their life to serve and protect others .

[itsmyparty]

Your entry is the only one on these pages that resonates wuth me.Over the years even at a distance,watching MSM reports,there was real feeling between you two.I'm sorry for your loss.If Kennedy's name is going to be on a bill-gp for broke--single payer with an elected board for oversight.No bargains with phatma or windfalls for insurance companies.Rather,a bill that covers congree along with everyone else,That would be proper.