American Statesman and Champion of the People

Edward Moore Kennedy, 1932-2009
By Thomas Miner

The death of Senator Edward Kennedy at age 77 closes a chapter in American history that future Americans will learn to know and love as I have. A man born into the life of privilege that identified with the common man.

Some attribute this rare loyalty to his Roman Catholic faith and his mother, Rose, that defined his character with the belief that there are greater rewards in heaven. While his father, Joe, shared that belief he was more pragmatic. At an early age he told his son that no matter what he decided to be or do in life that his well being would forever be looked after by a family trust. His father’s gift of freedom gave Senator Kennedy the ways and means to dedicate his life of politics looking after the poor and common man.

Kennedy was part of an Irish-American story. A story that brought to fruition the beliefs of our founding fathers that anyone…Irish…Catholic could rise from the ranks of America politics and become a movable force. And in his action made him bigger than life.

Depending on the company you keep the mention of his name would cause a firestorm of controversy. Bleeding heart, tree-hugging, gay-loving are but a few of the names the Senator from Massachusetts has been called…others not fit for publishing. Yet in his passing we are learning much more about a man that could set aside partisan politics and work to attain his hope and his dream for a better America for all it’s citizens.

For nearly half a century he wrestled with issues that would determine the course of modern American history. Kennedy, a gifted negotiator invoked Irish wit as he faced the challenges of his own life and the challenges of our country, in particular, health care and civil rights. He was simply a descent man and a descendant of Irish emigrants and he never forgot nor betrayed his family and culture…the hope remains intact and the dream lives on.