Uncle Teddy

When I think of American Politics I think of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. 

 Politics have always been a part of who I am.  My father has been involved in the political arena in some capacity for my whole life and now serves as a Mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts.   Growing up, I was lucky to experience conventions and inaugurations, but my favorites were the many JFK Library events and dinners that I would go to.  These events ranged from forums to honorary black tie dinners.   They were exciting and fun to experience as a child and a young adult.  At these events there was always one person I looked for and was excited to see - Senator Kennedy. 

 My father spent time working for Kennedy in 1979-80 during his Presidential campaign, and representing him at the DNC until 1984 as the deputy to the campaign director.  Over the years he has developed a relationship with Senator Kennedy which has changed from someone he has worked for, to someone he now works with to help create a better, safer Massachusetts.  My father told me “ he is like another Mayor for New Bedford.  He knows every street, the people, the issues.”   This is what makes Senator Kennedy unique.  

He is known both internationally and nationally as a prominent figure.  He not only focuses on important issues like healthcare and women’s equality, but can change gears and focus on small things like if there needs to be a change at an intersection.  He is a national senator, but when it comes to a place like New Bedford, he calls my father up and asks what he can do to help.

Edward M. Kennedy was born Februrary 22, 1932 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr and Rose Fitzgerald.  He is the youngest of nine, and a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Virginia Law School.  He is the surviving brother of President John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy ( U.S. Attorney General 1961-1964, NY Senator 1965-1968)  And has created a name for himself as the “Lion of the Senate.”    John, Robert, and Ted lived by the idea that  "One person can make a difference and every one should try."  They dedicated their lives to trying to make a difference and they have inspired people around the world to do the same.  

Senator Kennedy was elected as the Massachusetts Senator in 1962 to serve the remaining two years after his brother John F. Kennedy became President. He has been serving as Massachusetts Senator for over forty-six years and seven full terms.   During this time he has fought for issues to help Massachusetts as well as the nation.  He is known for his leadership , tenacity, and and his dogged conviction in the Senate. 

During his time as a public servant, he developed a reputation as a leading liberal and "Democratic Icon."  Through his hard work and endless efforts he has become one of the most recognizable and influential leaders of the Democratic party and Senate.  Although often criticized for his controversies, he has gained a following of loyal supporters and is respected by many.  According to Time, "In a recent survey by the Hill newspaper, Kennedy's GOP colleagues ranked him No. 1 among Democrats for bipartisanship."

As the "Lion of the Senate" Senator Kennedy has always fought hard for the less fortunate. Since his first term, he has been an advocate for health-care reform.  He is also active in a wide range of other issues such as education reform, immigration reform, defending right of workers and their families, raising the minimum wage, civil rights, helping those with disabilities, fighting for cleaner air and water, and strengthening Medicare and Social Security.  

He currently serves as the Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in the Senate.  He also serves on the Armed Services Committee where he is the senior Democrat on the Seapower Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee and the Congressional Friends of Ireland, and a trustee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Ireland

The Congressional Friends of Ireland was founded by Senator Kennedy as an organization that declared its mission in 1994 as being "opposed to violence and terrorism in Northern Ireland and dedicated to maintaining a United States policy that promotes a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the conflict that has cost more than 3,100 lives over the past quarter century."   Senator Kennedy devoted much time and effort to peace in Northern Ireland and his service in British American relations.  Because of his Irish- American heritage and significant service to the peace process, on March 4, 2009, Pime Mimister Gordon Brown addressed Congress and announced that Senator Kennedy will be awarded honorary knighthood.  

Senator Kennedy will be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and the honor is chosen by the British government.  Prime Minister Brown heaped praise on the senator, saying that Northern Ireland owed a “great debt to the life and courage” of Mr Kennedy.  Since Kennedy is not a British citizen he will be awarded the initials "KBE" meaning Knight of the British Empire.  Senator Kennedy released a statement expressing his gratitude for the honor stating, "I’m deeply grateful to Her Majesty the Queen and to Prime Minister Brown for this extraordinary honor. I have always prized the opportunity to work with the British government and strengthen and deepen the role of our two countries as leading beacons of democracy in the world. I am proud that I was able to play a part in the decades-long effort to bring peace to Northern Ireland."

This honor was not well recieved by all.  Ireland still has remnants of political leaders and citizens that do not side with the treaty and feel that Kennedy became bias, rather than meeting in the middle.  As the Times describes,  "Mr Kennedy was one of the “Four Horsemen” who from the 1970s worked closely with the Irish Government and John Hume, the Nobel Laureate and former SDLP leader, to counter support for violent Irish republicanism in the United States. In 1977 they persuaded President Carter to make a commitment to provide financial support to Northern Ireland in the event of a peace settlement."  

Health Care

Senator Kennedy has been an advocate of affordable and accessible quality health care for all citizens.  He believes that with President Obama making health care a key priority in his administration there can be reforms made to help improve and provide health care for all citizens.  The goals are as follows: 

•Provide affordable and quality health insurance coverage to all Americans.

•Improve the delivery of health care to ensure the best quality care at affordable prices.

•Emphasize prevention and wellness as urgent needs to keep Americans healthy.

Two significant steps in this Congress have already been taken.  First , Congress approved and President Obama signed legislation re-authorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program which will cover an additional 4 million uninsured children. And the economic stimulus legislation approved in February will invest $20 billion to create a health information technology infrastructure, and invest new resources in our community health centers and our public health system.

Civil Rights

On his Website Kennedy writes, 

"Civil rights remains the unfinished business of America. Although tremendous progress has been made over the years in creating greater opportunities for minorities and other groups facing discrimination – in jobs, schools, health care, and other aspects of society – significant challenges remain before we can claim to have achieved equal opportunity and equal justice for all."  He continues to state that "A true civil rights agenda affords economic opportunities to those with the fewest resources, works to improve the education system for the nation’s children, and fights to ensure civil rights laws are enforced. In addition, the composition of the federal judiciary is critical to the protection of civil rights in the United States. Nominees to the bench must prove they can render a fair and impartial judgment and uphold the civil rights and liberties of all Americans."

For more information on his website, Senator Kennedy lists current issues such as Comprehensive Immigration Reform, The War in Iraq, Helping America's Workers, HIV/AIDS, Minimum Wage, Enviornment, Poverty, Higher Education, and Equal Opportunity.  He explains his own personal beliefs and opinions including what must change, and the steps he is taking as a Senator and leader to make those changes.  

Last year on May 17, 2008, I graduated from Fordham University and remember having it be a bittersweet day.  I was excited for myself, my accomplishments, and my family.  I remember my father being excited but something didn't seem right and he told me that earlier Senator Kennedy had been rushed to the hospital.  This was just days before he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I immediately remembered the events with him in attendance and his kindness toward my family.   I always was attracted to his fun personality that brightened the room at the events, and his strong and boisterous voice.

It's odd to me, although I never have spent significant time with Senator Kennedy, he has always been a part of my life not only as an international and national figure, as a liberal figurehead of the Democratic party, as my Senator, and most importantly as a dedicated supporter and friend of my father.  It is no surprise to me that Senator Kennedy has continued to receive treatments for his cancer while still serving as the Senator just as diligently as ever before. 

Time recently named him one of the "2009 Time 100 Most Influential People." Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote the piece on his Uncle Teddy which focused on his lifetime career in politics.  The Boston Globe has started a seven part series on the life, ups and downs of Senator Kennedy and all of his many accomplishments.