TRIBUTES

Public Campaign

Senator Ted Kennedy was a giant of a public figure who shaped legislation that impacted people's lives in ways big and small. With today's roiling debate on health insurance reform, much attention will rightly be placed on Sen. Kennedy's legacy of leadership and passion on ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable, quality coverage.

But among the other issues he championed over his career were those that expanded the promise of democracy for more people, including landmark civil rights and voting rights laws. Always ahead of his time, as early as 1973 and before the Watergate reforms the following year, Sen. Kennedy was working to pass forward-looking congressional public financing of elections legislation.

Today, we offer our condolences to his family and friends, and join the citizens of Massachusetts and Americans in every corner of this nation in mourning the passing of one of the greatest little "d" democrats of our time. Tomorrow, we pledge to continue to work towards his vision of a democracy that works for all of us.