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Life/e—dialect—dialog

The Dream Shall Never Die — Ted Kennedy

by e-bluespirit 2009. 8. 28.

 

 

 

 

John, Robert and Ted Kennedy, c. 1960

 

 

 

 

Friend -- Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. 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 me. 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 battled passionately on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintained 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. I personally valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've benefited as President from his encouragement and wisdom. His fight gave 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. For America, he was a defender of a dream. For his family, he was a guardian. Our hearts and prayers go out to them today -- to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family. Today, our country mourns. We say goodbye to a friend and a true leader who challenged us all to live out our noblest values. And we give thanks for his memory, which inspires us still. Sincerely, President Barack Obama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the cause of my life. It is a key reason that I defied my illness last summer to speak at the Democratic convention in Denver—to support Barack Obama, but also to make sure, as I said, "that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American...will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not just a privilege." For four decades I have carried this cause—from the floor of the United States Senate to every part of this country. It has never been merely a question of policy; it goes to the heart of my belief in a just society. Now the issue has more meaning for me—and more urgency—than ever before. But it's always been deeply personal, because the importance of health care has been a recurrent lesson throughout most of my 77 years.

— Ted Kennedy

 

 

 

Dear MoveOn member,

 

The Lion is at rest.

Senator Teddy Kennedy passed away last night and our movement lost a hero. His leadership, his vision, and his passion will never be forgotten.

 

As we grieve, we must honor his memory and re-dedicate ourselves to his fight. Right now, let's listen to his words. Below is a powerful video that lots of MoveOn members are passing around this morning:

 

Tonight, please light a candle in your window to memorialize him.

Tomorrow, as Senator Kennedy said, "...the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

Tomorrow, let's re-commit ourselves to achieving the thing that mattered most to him: Quality, affordable health care for every single American.

 

Thank you for all you do.

 

–Justin, Adam, Amy, Anna, Annie, Carrie, Christopher, Daniel, Danielle, Eli, Emily, Gail, Ian, Ilya, Ilyse, Joan, Jodeen, Julie, Kat, Keauna, Laura, Lenore, Marika, Matt E., Matt S., Matthew, Melanie, Michael, Nita, Noah, Peter, Sasha, Scott, Stephen, Steven, Susannah, Wes, and the entire MoveOn team

 


 

 

 

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

 1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
       the royal son with your righteousness.

 2 He will judge your people in righteousness,
       your afflicted ones with justice.

 3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
       the hills the fruit of righteousness.

 4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
       and save the children of the needy;
       he will crush the oppressor.

 5 He will endure as long as the sun,
       as long as the moon, through all generations.

 6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
       like showers watering the earth.

 7 In his days the righteous will flourish;
       prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.

 8 He will rule from sea to sea
       and from the River to the ends of the earth.

 9 The desert tribes will bow before him
       and his enemies will lick the dust.

 10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
       will bring tribute to him;
       the kings of Sheba and Seba
       will present him gifts.

 11 All kings will bow down to him
       and all nations will serve him.

 12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
       the afflicted who have no one to help.

 13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
       and save the needy from death.

 14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
       for precious is their blood in his sight.

 15 Long may he live!
       May gold from Sheba be given him.
       May people ever pray for him
       and bless him all day long.

 16 Let grain abound throughout the land;
       on the tops of the hills may it sway.
       Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon;
       let it thrive like the grass of the field.

 17 May his name endure forever;
       may it continue as long as the sun.
       All nations will be blessed through him,
       and they will call him blessed.

 18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
       who alone does marvelous deeds.

 19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
       may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
       Amen and Amen.

 20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kennedy 

http://pol.moveon.org/kennedy/?id=17001-10122484-U5KN.tx&t=2