AMDG
You can assess the worth of a person from the personal witness of their family, friends and coworkers . In the case of Edward Moore Kennedy, you can add the cries and shouts of “Thank You” & “I love you” from his constituents in Massachusetts , as his hearse passed through the throngs on the streets of Boston.
I was an enthusiastic fan and supporter of Teddy’s older brother, JFK, and remember exactly where I was on that tragic day when he was assassinated. In retrospect, however, it was Robert who really stole my heart and mind with his support of the poor, the oppressed minorities and his criticism of another unnecessary war that caused 58,000 American lives, a war which I supported at the outset. Like many others, I was turned off by Teddy’s criminal irresponsibility in Chappaquiddick and his misbehavior in Florida. I was also turned off by his attempt to wrest the Presidential nomination from Jimmy Carter in 1979. As time progressed, however, I was so disturbed by the neoconservative policies of Ronald Reagan, I welcomed Kennedy’s opposition in congress. But I was not at all aware of his legislative initiatives in the Senate since 1980. I had no idea that the American Disabilities Act came about through his leadership. Nor did I know that he was primarily responsible for opening up this country to immigrants from Southern Europe. And although , I was always supportive of publicly funded health care, I had no idea that he, along with his bipartisan partners ,helped pass the Medicare bill.
I believe in Redemption. People who don’t had better be sure they live a spotless moral life or at least hide their life mistakes successfully. “Don’t get caught” because they stamp a scarlet letter on your forehead or publish it in the New York Times.
I also believe in Empathy. “There for the grace of God go I” Ted Kennedy apparently did. Although rich and privileged from birth, he knew what it was like to lose members of his family to murder like many in the crime ridden inner cites of the country. He also personally felt the pain of having to care for two of his children with cancer and having to identify and bury his nephew after a tragic plane crash. We learned after listening to the witnesses of his life that he felt that everyone, no just the rich and privileged, should have access to the same excellent health care that he had.
We can be cynical about politicians and public figures but very few people “spin” at a memorial service or a eulogy. When do you ever hear emotional public testimony from a staunch political opponent like Orrin Hatch who wrote a poem in tribute to the generosity, humor and authenticity of the man. Seldom can friends or relatives succeed at faking an emotional breakdown while talking about their father, uncle or friend while on nationwide television.
Whenever do we have access to a personal letter that a man, who was about to die, sent to the Pope. There are no liars in foxholes. I will close with the transcript of the letter, which was read by Cardinal McCarrick at his gravesite.
“Most Holy Father, I asked President Obama to personally hand-deliver this letter to you. As a man of deep faith himself, he understands how important my Roman Catholic faith is to me, and I am so deeply grateful to him.
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I pray that you have all of God's blessings as you lead our church and inspire our world during these challenging times. I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines. I was diagnosed with brain cancer more than a year ago, and although I continue treatment, the disease is taking its toll on me. I am 77 years old and preparing for the next passage of life.
I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful family. And both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives. That gift of faith has sustained and nurtured and provided solace to me in the darkest hours. I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path.
I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I have worked to welcome the immigrant, to fight discrimination and expand access to health care and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues that have motivated me and have been the focus of my work as a United States senator.
I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I'm committed to doing everything I can to achieve access to health care for everyone in my country. This has been the political cause of my life. I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field and I'll continue to advocate for it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees healthcare for everyone.
I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I continue to pray for God's blessings on you and on our church and would be most thankful for your prayers for me."
I was an enthusiastic fan and supporter of Teddy’s older brother, JFK, and remember exactly where I was on that tragic day when he was assassinated. In retrospect, however, it was Robert who really stole my heart and mind with his support of the poor, the oppressed minorities and his criticism of another unnecessary war that caused 58,000 American lives, a war which I supported at the outset. Like many others, I was turned off by Teddy’s criminal irresponsibility in Chappaquiddick and his misbehavior in Florida. I was also turned off by his attempt to wrest the Presidential nomination from Jimmy Carter in 1979. As time progressed, however, I was so disturbed by the neoconservative policies of Ronald Reagan, I welcomed Kennedy’s opposition in congress. But I was not at all aware of his legislative initiatives in the Senate since 1980. I had no idea that the American Disabilities Act came about through his leadership. Nor did I know that he was primarily responsible for opening up this country to immigrants from Southern Europe. And although , I was always supportive of publicly funded health care, I had no idea that he, along with his bipartisan partners ,helped pass the Medicare bill.
I believe in Redemption. People who don’t had better be sure they live a spotless moral life or at least hide their life mistakes successfully. “Don’t get caught” because they stamp a scarlet letter on your forehead or publish it in the New York Times.
I also believe in Empathy. “There for the grace of God go I” Ted Kennedy apparently did. Although rich and privileged from birth, he knew what it was like to lose members of his family to murder like many in the crime ridden inner cites of the country. He also personally felt the pain of having to care for two of his children with cancer and having to identify and bury his nephew after a tragic plane crash. We learned after listening to the witnesses of his life that he felt that everyone, no just the rich and privileged, should have access to the same excellent health care that he had.
We can be cynical about politicians and public figures but very few people “spin” at a memorial service or a eulogy. When do you ever hear emotional public testimony from a staunch political opponent like Orrin Hatch who wrote a poem in tribute to the generosity, humor and authenticity of the man. Seldom can friends or relatives succeed at faking an emotional breakdown while talking about their father, uncle or friend while on nationwide television.
Whenever do we have access to a personal letter that a man, who was about to die, sent to the Pope. There are no liars in foxholes. I will close with the transcript of the letter, which was read by Cardinal McCarrick at his gravesite.
“Most Holy Father, I asked President Obama to personally hand-deliver this letter to you. As a man of deep faith himself, he understands how important my Roman Catholic faith is to me, and I am so deeply grateful to him.
I hope this letter finds you in good health. I pray that you have all of God's blessings as you lead our church and inspire our world during these challenging times. I am writing with deep humility to ask that you pray for me as my own health declines. I was diagnosed with brain cancer more than a year ago, and although I continue treatment, the disease is taking its toll on me. I am 77 years old and preparing for the next passage of life.
I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful family. And both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives. That gift of faith has sustained and nurtured and provided solace to me in the darkest hours. I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path.
I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I have worked to welcome the immigrant, to fight discrimination and expand access to health care and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues that have motivated me and have been the focus of my work as a United States senator.
I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I'm committed to doing everything I can to achieve access to health care for everyone in my country. This has been the political cause of my life. I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field and I'll continue to advocate for it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees healthcare for everyone.
I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I continue to pray for God's blessings on you and on our church and would be most thankful for your prayers for me."
