BOSTON (Aug. 25) - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, the last surviving brother in a political dynasty and one of the most influential senators in history, died at his home on Cape Cod after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
In nearly 50 years in the Senate, Kennedy served alongside 10 presidents — his brother John Fitzgerald Kennedy among them — compiling an impressive list of legislative achievements on health care, civil rights, education, immigration and more.
Bobby, Ted & Jack
Our Revere clan from Massachusetts are quite familiar with the Kennedy family. We knew everything about them as they hit the News print quite often.
On November 20, 1955, in a 21-7 defeat to Yale, Harvard's lone score came on a low five-yard pass that was snared by #88, the Senior Right End Ted Kennedy.Just one month earlier, Kennedy's promise on the football field had caught the notice of Green Bay Packer Head Coach Lisle Blackbourn. "You have been very highly recommended to us by a number of coaches in your area and also by our talent scouts as a possible Pro Prospect," Blackbourn wrote to the young Right End.
Kennedy declined the offer, saying he was flattered, but that he had plans to attend law school and to 'go into another contact sport, politics'.
As Kate Michelman, the former president of NARAL, said: "Not having Ted Kennedy in the Senate is like driving without headlights. . . . There isn't anything you can say about the man that would capture totally his impact on social progress. For women's rights and the right to choose, we needed Ted Kennedy in the Senate."
The Liberal Lion dies at age 77!
ReplyDeleteThe family most certainly had a lot of power in this state.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the Kennedy men were characterized as "womanizers", they most certainly worked hard for women's rights, the elderly, civil rights, and the needy. I always respected the fact that the Kennedys worked hard, never just living the easy life of many other very rich people.
ReplyDeleteAt an RHS football game, Teddy Kennedy showed up during half time. I got stuck in the crowd of people gathering around him and he shook my hand. Being clueless about politics back then, I had to ask someone who he was. One of our teachers was there and told me who it was and that he was the brother of John F. Kennedy who was running for president. I was very impressed even though my parents were big Nixon fans.
He loved Hyannisport and sailing.
ReplyDeleteJanice