Offering frequent news and analysis from the majestic Evergreen State and beyond, The Cascadia Advocate is the Northwest Progressive Institute's unconventional perspective on world, national, and local politics.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Senator Edward Kennedy, America's progressive voice, dead at 77

Extraordinarily grievous news tonight from the State of Massachusetts: Senator Ted Kennedy, one of America's foremost and beloved progressive champions, who never shied away from a fight and proudly identified himself as a liberal, died due to complications from brain cancer, his family announced.

He was seventy seven years old.
Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.
The United States has lost a great leader; America's progressive movement has lost one of its strongest and most tireless voices. This is a very sad day for our country, and for all of humanity.

NPI extends its deepest condolences to the Kennedy family and friends at this difficult time. We share in your great sadness at the immeasurable loss of one the most legendary statesmen America has ever seen.

President Barack Obama's statement follows. The President is scheduled to deliver a eulogy at Kennedy's funeral mass, according to the White House.
I wanted to say a few words this morning about the passing of an extraordinary leader, Senator Edward Kennedy.

Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counselor, and a friend. And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread.

Since Teddy's diagnosis last year, we've seen the courage with which he battled his illness. And while these months have no doubt been difficult for him, they've also let him hear from people in every corner of our nation and from around the world just how much he meant to all of us. His fight has given us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say thank you -- and goodbye.

The outpouring of love, gratitude, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself.

The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party. And at times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer. He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines.

And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy.

His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end. And the extraordinary good that he did lives on. For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was the defender of a dream.

I spoke earlier this morning to Senator Kennedy's beloved wife, Vicki, who was to the end such a wonderful source of encouragement and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, his children Kara, Edward, and Patrick; his stepchildren Curran and Caroline; the entire Kennedy family; decades' worth of his staff; the people of Massachusetts; and all Americans who, like us, loved Ted Kennedy.
In a statement sent to NPI, Senator Patty Murray offered these thoughts:
When I was young Ted Kennedy was larger than life. I could not believe it when I first walked out on the floor of the Senate and he walked over to welcome me. From that day on, he became a valued friend, a courageous partner, and a personal mentor.

From my earliest memories in the Senate when I watched him patiently and passionately argue to pass the Family and Medical Leave Act, to his last moments when he led the charge to pass legislation that guaranteed equal pay for women and encouraged Americans to serve and give back to their country as he did, Ted never once stopped fighting for those who couldn't fight for themselves. The country is indeed a better place because of him.

His loss is very personal to me. I will miss him. Our country will miss him.

My thoughts and prayers, and those of all Americans, are with his family at this difficult time.
Governor Chris Gregoire added:
I am saddened by the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy – the nation lost a true leader last night. Growing up with a single mother, it was families like mine that Senator Kennedy fought so hard to protect. He was a true champion for civil rights and economic justice, and Congress will sorely miss his voice.

I greatly admire his resolve in pushing to improve our health care system, even as his own health was failing. This was typical of how Sen. Kennedy placed his concern for others above himself as he served our nation for decades.

Mike and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Kennedy family during this difficult time.
Senator John Kerry, Kennedy's seatmate, declared:
We have known for some time that this day was coming, but nothing makes it easier. We have lost a great light in our lives and our politics, and it will never be the same again. Ted Kennedy was such an extraordinary force, yes for the issues he cared about, but more importantly for the humanity and caring in our politics that is at the center of faith and true public service.

No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger than life presence who was simply the best -- the best Senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague, and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times. He faced the last challenge of his life with the same grace, courage, and determination with which he fought for the causes and principles he held so dear. He taught us how to fight, how to laugh, how to treat each other, and how to turn idealism into action, and in these last fourteen months he taught us much more about how to live life, sailing into the wind one last time. For almost 25 years, I was privileged to serve as his colleague and share his friendship for which I will always be grateful.

Teresa and I send all our love to Vicki, Teddy Jr., Patrick, Kara and their family, and to the entire Kennedy family for whom Teddy was always a rock at times like this. Massachusetts and our entire nation shares their loss and grieves with them.
Senator Russ Feingold, another progressive champion in the Senate:
Senator Kennedy was a hero of mine both before and after I came to the United States Senate. Senator Kennedy was one of the greatest Senators in American history and serving alongside him in the Senate is one of the great honors of my life. His unyielding dedication to equality, justice and improving the lives of his fellow citizens was unmatched and his loss is immeasurable. He championed civil rights and worked to expand the rights of voters and working Americans. Children are healthier and young Americans have more educational opportunities because of Senator Kennedy’s decades of service. And we will achieve real health care reform thanks to the groundwork he laid. Senator Kennedy’s legacy will live on in the Americans who walk through doorways he opened through his lifetime of countless achievements. Like the millions upon millions of Americans whose lives he touched, I am deeply saddened by his passing and my thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
In Brief will feature additional quotations from statements on Kennedy's passing throughout the day. As Senator Kerry said, words really cannot do justice to Teddy's incredible life and legacy. But we can and will try.

Comments:

Blogger Brian said...

Republicans haven't been so nice on message forums around the internet today. The video list I watched earlier really put his career in perspective ( http://www.ranker.com/list/sen--ted-kennedy_s-10-most-memorable-moments-_video-tribute_/history ). I can't believe people are saying things like "good riddance" and "justice has been served".

Please, if you are reading this and are a right-winger, then know that your party leaders are leading by example. Follow them. It is the civil thing to do.

August 26, 2009 6:04 PM  

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