TRIBUTES

Rep. John Larson

Connecticut

Today, the nation mourns the passing of a sentinel of social and economic justice. Senator Kennedy was a true friend and mentor; a man of integrity, who indelibly left his mark in the United States Senate. He will be missed by many, and remembered by all.

Ted Kennedy was many things to this nation – a figurehead, a patriarch and a leader – but, his longest surviving legacy will be the contributions he made to the moral and humanitarian development of our country. He taught us to take care of our neediest and deny the civil rights of none. He never turned his back on those who were less fortunate. He made it his purpose in life to spread the promises of a quality education, health care and equal rights, to every American. He left his indelible finger print on the most important issues of our time.

One of my proudest moments was sharing the stage with Senator Kennedy as we came together with 17,000 people in Hartford to support Barack Obama and his message of hope for America. Senator Kennedy spoke with passion and ambition of the great possibility for this nation and our world with Barack Obama as President. We were equally proud to watch a year later as Barack Obama was sworn in as President.

He has humbly passed the torch, lit by the legacies of his illustrious brothers and family to President Obama and a new generation of patriots to fulfill the promise of progress to make this nation "a more perfect union".

I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Kennedy family, particularly my close friend and colleague Congressman Patrick Kennedy. The Kennedy family has lost their husband, father, uncle and brother and this country has lost a guiding force. Ted Kennedy had a vision for the future of our nation and a strong faith in the American people's potential and ability to achieve that vision. We will not lose sight of his goals. Even with the passing of this great man, we must persevere and believe, "the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."