A Tribute
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy: The Voice for the Voiceless is
Stilled
Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy (February 22nd,
1932 – August 25th, 2009) was one of the most influential
leaders of our time, and one of the greatest senators in American history.
Known fondly as "the lion of the Senate," he consistently
used his powerful voice to speak out for the voiceless, the powerless and the
poor. He could always be counted on to champion justice, fairness and
compassion — and to challenge others to do the same. For nearly 50 years,
virtually every major piece of legislation that advanced the civil rights,
health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and
resulted from his efforts.
Kennedy was "one of our most effective champions," said
Andrew Imparato, president of the American Association of People with
Disabilities.
Kennedy played a major role in passing many bills and
laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the Comprehensive
Anti-Apartheid Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Ryan White
Care Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Mental Health Parity Act, the State
Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP), the No Child Left Behind Act of
2001, the Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, the
National Cancer Act of 1971, the Health Care Reform Act of 2009, the Education
of all Handicapped Children Act (the predecessor of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act) and Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972, which was designed in part to balance the amount of money colleges spent
on men's and women's sports.
No one will ever be able to fill his shoes, but we must
honor his extraordinary legacy by continuing his life's work. The most fitting
tribute we could give Senator Kennedy is to carry on his fight for a quality
education for all our children, affordable health care that families can rely
on, an economy that works for everyone and equal rights for all our citizens.
“For all those whose cares have been our concern,
the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall
never die.” - Sen. Ted Kennedy
-- By Patricio Figueroa and combined wire
services |
