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NEWS BRIEFS
Statements on Kennedy's death
Officials are sending official statements about the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
Here are the statements:
Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va.: “I had hoped and prayed that this day would never come. My heart and soul weeps at the lost 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.”
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.: “Sharon and I are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing.
“The American people and the United States Senate have lost a touchstone. The cause of justice has lost its bravest and boldest champion. And I have lost a very dear friend.
“Because of Senator Ted Kennedy, we became a better, stronger, more inclusive nation. For 46 years, he was a legislative lion who gave voice to the voiceless – fighting for working families, civil rights, women's rights, health care for all, and transforming the lives of children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. And in his private life he worked tirelessly to impact so many people with endless human acts of kindness that were never known to most but will always be treasured – he never stopped reaching to help people at every turn.
“Nearly every piece of legislation passed in the United States Senate bore his imprint and reflected his commitment to making life better for every American. It has been my honor to lock arms with him in many of these efforts – including the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Serve America Act, which inspires young people to serve their country through public service.
“Ted and his family reached amazing heights and they inspired a nation – and each and every day of his life honored the fallen heroes we will always cherish.
“West Virginians had a special connection with Senator Kennedy and his entire family – he visited our state frequently over the years, and I was proud to welcome him here many times.
“So many West Virginians were touched by Senator Kennedy’s loving hand and their lives were improved by his tireless leadership. Together, we are all forever grateful for his service and his kind heart and we will miss him dearly. Now he belongs to the ages.”
U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.: “Senator Kennedy was a great statesman and a true leader, who cared deeply about America’s future. He had an unwavering dedication to improve education and healthcare and throughout his remarkable and stellar career, Senator Kennedy boldly championed landmark legislation to improve the lives of all Americans.”
“I extend my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Senator Kennedy’s wife and family, and hope they take comfort in knowing that his legend and legacy carries on in the hearts and memories of a grateful nation.”
West Virginia Gov Joe Manchin and his wife, Gayle: “Today is a sad day in America, not only for the Kennedy family and for Massachusetts, but for our entire country. Senator Kennedy was a fighter and true statesman. I met Senator Kennedy when I was just 13 years old. I was working on my go cart inside our three-room garage apartment when my mother told me to come to the kitchen, she wanted me to meet someone. There I saw Ted Kennedy eating spaghetti and just having a great time. He was in West Virginia campaigning for his brother for president.
“From the first time I met him and every time since, I was always captivated by his presence and his friendliness and openness. He was always kind to me and throughout our many encounters, he always treated my family and me as if we were extended family. That was just the way he treated people.
“He and the Kennedys had a heart-felt love for West Virginia and we will truly miss him.”
West Virginia Treasurer John D. Perdue: “Ted Kennedy was a man of the people – one who never shied away from challenges and worked hard to make sure those without a voice were heard. Today, it is with heavy hearts that my wife Robin and I join our fellow West Virginians in lifting up our prayers for the life of Senator Kennedy and his family. He will surely be missed.
“The people of West Virginia have had an undeniable connection with the Kennedys for nearly 50 years. It is on days like today that we should not only celebrate and remember the life of Ted Kennedy, but also recommit ourselves to what he did so well – serve the people of our state and nation.”
West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey: “Today we mourn the loss of one the greatest and most impactful political figures in American history with the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy.
"Senator Kennedy was adored by millions of Americans and was respected by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his energy, his passion, his compassion, and above all his commitment to serve his country in pursuit of a more common good for every American. Senator Kennedy has a special place in the hearts of many West Virginians for the time he spent here. First to help his brother run for president in 1960, but also many more times, and most recently in 2004.
"Senator Kennedy spent his entire life fighting for all Americans, no matter their condition or background. From health care, to civil rights, to education, he helped shape nearly every major piece of legislation.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kennedy family as we mourn the loss and celebrate the extraordinary life of Senator Edward Kennedy.”
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland: “I have known Senator Kennedy for many years, and I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing.
America has lost an extraordinary public servant who was the leading voice for the least fortunate. A towering figure in the United State Senate and the American political imagination, his life exemplified the deepest commitment to a simple idea: service to others. His advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised will survive long beyond his living years.
It is difficult for many of us to imagine the U.S. Senate without Ted Kennedy. He spent five decades there, tirelessly striving for a more perfect union. Now, he rests with his brothers in a more perfect place, and in our nation’s collective memory.
Frances and I extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Kennedy family and all those whose lives were bettered because of Sen. Ted Kennedy.”
Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio: "Senator Kennedy earned his legendary status as the Lion of the Senate. It was truly an honor to serve with him and I feel lucky to have been able to see him in action. His dedication to the things he held dear – his family, his faith, and his country – set a high bar for all of us as Members of Congress and as Americans."
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear: “Our hearts go out to the Kennedy family today as we mourn the passing of legendary Senator Ted Kennedy. Sen. Kennedy will long be remembered for his role as a strong, vocal advocate for the improvement of health care, education and beyond. The passion, dedication and perseverance that truly made him the “Lion of the Senate” will be sorely missed.”
President Obama's speech: 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.
Vice President Joe Biden's speech: Well, Mr. Secretary, thank you and your staff for the privilege of being with you today on what, as I prepared last night, was to be a joyous occasion, announcing another step in the direction of energy independence. And you said the President made a wise choice. The wisest choice the President made was asking you to be -- I mean that sincerely -- to be the Secretary to the Department of Energy. You've assembled a first-rate staff, and you've taken on a role that is going to be a -- is going to, in large part, determine the success of these next three-and-a-half years, whether or not we make a genuine dent, genuine progress in moving toward an energy policy that can help America lead the world in the 21st century as it did in the 20th century.
Some suggest we're trying to do too much. But my response is, is there any possibility of America leading the world in the 21st century without a radically altered energy policy? It is not possible. And that charge has been given to one of the most remarkable men to serve in a President's Cabinet, a Nobel laureate who is as articulate as he is obviously bright, and a man who has assembled a staff that can corral the bureaucracy -- and we're all -- deal with bureaucracy, we're all part of it -- in a way that I haven't seen in awhile.
And I had planned on speaking to the Clean Cities Program as one of the several initiatives we have to begin to reshape our energy policy. But as if Teddy were here, as we would say in the Senate, if you'd excuse a point of personal privilege, I quite frankly think it's -- would be inappropriate for me to dwell too much on the initiative that we're announcing today and not speak to my friend.
My wife Jill, and my sons Beau and Hunter, and my daughter Ashley -- and I don't say that lightly, because they all knew Teddy, he did something personal and special for each one of them in their lives -- truly, truly are distressed by his passing. And our hearts go out to Teddy Jr., and Patrick and Kara, and Vicki, with whom I spoke this morning, and the whole Kennedy family.
Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. And for 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and literally, not figuratively sitting next to him, and being witness to history. Every single day the Senate was in session, I sat with him on the Senate floor in the same aisle. I sat with him on the Judiciary Committee next -- physically next to him. And I sat with him in the caucuses. And it was in that process, every day I was with him -- and this is going to sound strange -- but he restored my sense of idealism and my faith in the possibilities of what this country could do.
He and I were talking after his diagnosis. And I said, I think you're the only other person I've met, who like me, is more optimistic, more enthusiastic, more idealistic, sees greater possibilities after 36 years than when we were elected. He was 30 years-old when he was elected; I was 29 years-old. And you'd think that would be the peak of our idealism. But I genuinely feel more optimistic about the prospect for my country today than I did -- I have been any time in my life.
And it was infectious when you were with him. You could see it, those of you who knew him and those of you who didn't know him. You could just see it in the nature of his debate, in the nature of his embrace, in the nature of how he every single day attacked these problems. And, you know, he was never defeatist. He never was petty -- never was petty. He was never small. And in the process of his doing, he made everybody he worked with bigger -- both his adversaries as well as his allies.
Don't you find it remarkable that one of the most partisan, liberal men in the last century serving in the Senate had so many of his -- so many of his foes embracing him, because they know he made them bigger, he made them more graceful by the way in which he conducted himself.
You know, he changed the circumstances of tens of millions of Americans -- in the literal sense, literally -- literally changed the circumstances. He changed also another aspect of it as I observed about him -- he changed not only the physical circumstance, he changed how they looked at themselves and how they looked at one another. That's a remarkable, remarkable contribution for any man or woman to make. And for the hundreds, if not thousands, of us who got to know him personally, he actually -- how can I say it -- he altered our lives as well.
Through the grace of God and accident of history I was privileged to be one of those people and every important event in my adult life -- as I look back this morning and talking to Vicki -- every single one, he was there. He was there to encourage, to counsel, to be empathetic, to lift up. In 1972 I was a 29 year old kid with three weeks left to go in a campaign, him showing up at the Delaware Armory in the middle of what we called Little Italy -- who had never voted nationally by a Democrat -- I won by 3,100 votes and got 85 percent of the vote in that district, or something to that effect. I literally would not be standing here were it not for Teddy Kennedy -- not figuratively, this is not hyperbole -- literally.
He was there -- he stood with me when my wife and daughter were killed in an accident. He was on the phone with me literally every day in the hospital, my two children were attempting, and, God willing, thankfully survived very serious injuries. I'd turn around and there would be some specialist from Massachusetts, a doc I never even asked for, literally sitting in the room with me.
You know, it's not just me that he affected like that -- it's hundreds upon hundreds of people. I was talking to Vicki this morning and she said -- she said, "He was ready to go, Joe, but we were not ready to let him go."
He's left a great void in our public life and a hole in the hearts of millions of Americans and hundreds of us who were affected by his personal touch throughout our lives. People like me, who came to rely on him. He was kind of like an anchor. And unlike many important people in my 38 years I've had the privilege of knowing, the unique thing about Teddy was it was never about him. It was always about you. It was never about him. It was people I admire, great women and men, at the end of the day gets down to being about them. With Teddy it was never about him.
Well, today we lost a truly remarkable man. To paraphrase Shakespeare: I don't think we shall ever see his like again. I think the legacy he left is not just in the landmark legislation he passed, but in how he helped people look at themselves and look at one another.
I apologize for us not being able to go into more detail about the energy bill, but I just think for me, at least, it was inappropriate today. And I'm sure there will be much more that will be said about my friend and your friend, but -- he changed the political landscape for almost half a century. I just hope -- we say blithely, you know, we'll remember what we did. I just hope we'll remember how he treated other people and how he made other people look at themselves and look at one another. That will be the truly fundamental, unifying legacy of Teddy Kennedy's life if that happens -- and it will for a while, at least in the Senate.
Mr. Secretary, you and your staff are doing an incredible job. I look forward to coming back at a happier moment when you are announcing even more consequential progress toward putting us back in a position where once again can control our own economic destiny.
Thank you all very, very much.
