Our country, and my generation, has lost a champion, a fighter and a friend today. A man born to the privilege of the Kennedy name, who chose to dedicate his life to tirelessly fighting for the needs and rights of all Americans. He has authored over 2,500 bills throughout his long history in the US Senate and I, along with many of my colleagues in the youth service movement, had the honor of supporting Senator Kennedy as he worked with colleagues in his own party and across the aisle to pass the historic Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Today, just a couple months after that victory, Senator Kennedy was leading the charge for quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans, as he had for his decades in office. His dedication to pursuing comprehensive health care coverage began in 1966 with visit to a Boston clinic that was bringing health care to low-income residents of that community. Kennedy left so impressed by the Columbia Point Health Center that he sought to replicate that model for the nation and introduced an amendment to the Economic Opportunity Act that set aside $51 million to get another 30 centers started around the country. His success in that amendment resulted in 20 million low-income Americans receiving access to quality primary care 1,200 community health centers across all states. For that, we had a 34 year old Senator Ted Kennedy to thank.
On August 25th, 2008 at the Democratic National Committee Convention that choose President Barack Obama, Senator Kennedy said these important words:
“And this November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans, so with Barack Obama and for you and me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.”
Today, Senator Kennedy’s legacy will live on, and through his memory the work will continue, the hope will continue and the dream will be realized. Today, as you mourn this great loss please also ask yourself – how can I ensure his fight continues to be fought? For what it’s worth, here are some suggestions:
* Donate to Accelerate Brain Cancer Cures; an amazing organization founded by Steve Case, whose brother was also taken too early by this devastating disease: http://abc2.org/donate.
* Add your voice to the call for service opportunities for all Americans, young and old: http://www.servicenation.org/pages/take-action
* Continue Sen. Kennedy’s fight for healthcare for all – http://healthcareforamericanow.org/site/action_center/.
Thank you for all you’ve done for my generation, Senator Kennedy, and for not making me believe I can make a difference – but proving to me that I can, and do.
