Remembering Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Floor Speech

REMEMBERING SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY -- (Senate - October 13, 2009)

Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. President, with the passing of Senator Teddy Kennedy, Americans lost a champion, the Senate lost a living legend, and those of us who were fortunate to know him personally lost a friend and mentor.

My memories of Teddy Kennedy reach beyond our short time together in the Senate all the way back to my days as a kid when his brother Jack was running for President of the United States. My father was an early supporter of Jack's campaign and Teddy stayed at our house in Arizona while he was campaigning for his brother in the west. In those days, the west was not considered a plum campaign assignment so, naturally, as the youngest of his clan it fell to him. We had a full house at the time, with all of my brothers and sisters at home, so there wasn't even a bed for him to sleep on. So he slept on the floor and never uttered a word of complaint. My memories of him from that time reflect the same Teddy Kennedy everyone describes today. He was a kind man, dedicated to his brother and his family, and always patient with all of us kids and our questions.

In later years, Teddy continued to be a frequent visitor to New Mexico. When our family was in the midst of a campaign and needed that extra bit of star power, Teddy was there the one person who could ignite a crowd like no other. As Democrats, we loved having him in our State because he could always get a turnout. He had rallies with 10,000-12,000 people--huge crowds for New Mexico.

Teddy Kennedy loved New Mexico and New Mexicans. And New Mexicans loved Teddy right back. In most family living rooms, you can find two prominently displayed photographs. They include at least one of the Kennedys be it Jack, Bobby, or Teddy and at least one of the Pope. New Mexicans just have a very deep affection for the entire Kennedy family.

My father eventually served in Jack Kennedy's Cabinet as Interior Secretary. These days, he talks a lot about his time in JFK's administration. He says he is now the last of the generation. The last leaf on the tree from the Kennedy Cabinet. My father was greatly saddened by Senator Kennedy's passing.

Just about every piece of monumental legislation that has come out of this Senate over the past 50 years has had Teddy Kennedy's stamp on it somehow. Whether it was voting rights or education improvements or health care reform--the cause of Teddy's life--America owes a debt of gratitude to the senior senator from Massachusetts for his leadership and unwavering dedication to making our country a better place for all who call it home.

But the last chapter in Teddy's legacy remains incomplete. That chapter is health care reform, and it is our job as Teddy's colleagues and friends to pick up where he left off and pass legislation that helps all Americans obtain affordable, quality health coverage. Teddy Kennedy dreamed of a day when decent, quality health care is a fundamental right and not just a privilege. We are once again at the edge of transformative change in our country. We have Teddy Kennedy to thank for getting us to this point. I look forward to joining my colleagues as we make Teddy's final dream a reality.

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