TRIBUTES

Governor Mark Parkinson

Kansas

Late last night, America lost an unwavering advocate for equality, liberty and the well being of our children. With the passing of Senator Kennedy we mourn together, while celebrating his legacy and life.

I last saw Senator Kennedy speak almost exactly one year ago in Denver; there, to a crowd of thousands, weak from illness but powered by optimism, he delivered a message in which all Americans can find hope. It was a brief, yet incredible moment to see a man who had seen so much, share a vision for the future.

The words he spoke that night ring especially true today, and remind me of the work we all have left to do: "...and this is the cause of my life -- new hope that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American -- north, south, east, west, young, old -- will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege. . . We are all Americans. This is what we do. We reach the moon. We scale the heights. I know it. I've seen it. I've lived it. And we can do it again."