Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, holder of his seat since 1962, the last surviving brother of the Kennedy Dynasty, the patriarch of the Kennedy clan, and the "the liberal lion" of the Senate has died at age 77 from brain cancer.
And this morning, America is a little poorer with his loss.
Ted Kennedy was the son of a multi millionaire who always championed the working class and the little guy. It was Ted Kennedy who pushed bills into law for healthcare for the children of the working poor, Meals On Wheels for the elderly, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
He was the head of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, but was always open and friendly with his rivals in the Senate; conservative Orrin Hatch of Utah was among Kennedy's best friends, both on and off the Senate floor.
There hasn't been a family that has produced more public servants of note than the Kennedys, the Bush and Adams included. The Kennedy legacy began with Jack and Robert in the 1960's, and continued on with their deaths under Ted. Camelot may have died on November 22, 1963, but the youngest son continued its dream for almost another half a century.
Ted Kennedy fought for the expansion of universal healthcare. Maybe it is fitting that the bill that will be debated for approval should have his name on it, as a lasting tribute as it is passed into law.
Kennedy's personal life had many flaws, and I'm sure in due time the usual suspects will throw them back out for public scrutiny before the man is even placed in his grave, such being the miserably acrimonious state of political "discourse" in the United States in 2009. He was no saint. But neither am I, nor is just about anyone else reading this passage.
But a saint wasn't needed; a flawed but bold lion was.
And now he's gone. God bless you, Senator Kennedy. And thanks.
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