Senate Proceeding on Sep 10th, 2009 :: 0:58:55 to 1:10:45
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0:58:52 to 0:59:17( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: yield the a senator: mr. president? the presidinofficer: the senator from rhode island. mr. reed: mr. president, i rise along with my colleague to pay tribute to anxtraordinary american and probably the greatest senator to serve in this body. i think time will confirm that as we go forward. i particulay want to express

0:58:55 to 1:10:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jack Reed

0:59:18 to 0:59:43( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: my deepest sympathy to vicky and cara and patrick and ted jr. i've had the privilege not only of serving with senator ted kennedy but also with congressman patrick ke -- patrick kennedy. both of these gentlemen demonstrated zeal for public service and commitment and passion to help people that has,

0:59:44 to 1:00:04( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: i think, be emblow mattic of the i have been particularly enamored with patrick, his words at his father's funeral, his dedication to the people of rhode island are not only commendable, but inspiring to many and all of us.

1:00:05 to 1:00:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: like so many in my generation, i grew up with the kennedy family. in 1960, john kennedy carried the banner of the party as the presidential candidate. he won, but as we understood then and now, we family, not just president john kennedy.

1:00:28 to 1:00:49( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and it was a remarkable family. his brother robert senator, and then ted kennedy. his contribution to the country and to the world is probably unmatchable as we go forward in every area, health care, which was his particular passion, and

1:00:50 to 1:01:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: which president obama spoke so movingly last evening about his commitment to moving forward in this congress and finally achieve a dream that eluded country for years and years and years. his work with his son patrick on mental health parity, which is

1:01:11 to 1:01:32( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: so important. ned indication, i had the the education committee and as a member of the house to collaborate with him on education bill and every education initiative in this country bears his stamp, his input, his inspiration.

1:01:33 to 1:01:55( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: he worked with senator claiborne pell for the creation of the pell grants and for so many other initiatives in education. and he only -- not only worked with senator pell, they developed a very deep abiding friendship. and one of the impressive things about ted kennedy is that the

1:01:56 to 1:02:17( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: public persona was impressive, the private impressive and extraordinarily endearing. he was someone who had a great sense of friendship and good humor, and i can recall being invited to join

1:02:18 to 1:02:38( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: senar kennedy a in newport after senator pell retired. every year unannounced senator kennedy would sail his boat newport and insist on taking senator pell out for a cruise and they would retire to the pell home for a delightful supper. i was privileged to be there on

1:02:39 to 1:03:00( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: a couple of occasions. toward the end of his life, senator pell had difficulty moving around, but senator kennedy would insist on coming every summer. the last outing, literally had to carry senator pell aboard. and senator pell at tha was not communicating as

1:03:01 to 1:03:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: effectively as he was previously, but he didn't have to because senator kennedy could take both parts of the conversation. in fact, he could take multiple parts of the conversation. and there was never a lost word or a dull moment. and it was a great opportunity to see an statesman, but an extraordinary

1:03:24 to 1:03:44( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: gentleman at the same time. he said famously about his brothers that they liv the american dream become a reality. and he said famously that the dream lives on. but he also, more than grieving,

1:03:45 to 1:04:06( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: tried to give substance, shape, and texture to that effectively try to ensure that opportunity was available to every american family, that they could use their talents to build their family and to secure their future and contribute to a better america. that was why he led on health care.

1:04:07 to 1:04:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: because without adequate health care, you can't realize your potential and you can't contribute as much to this great country. he led our e it's the great engine that pulls this nation forward and individually gives people an opportunity to move up and to help their families move forward.

1:04:28 to 1:04:51( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: in civil rights, he was a strong advocate. in fact, i think his first major speech was in favor of the 1964 civil rights act. because he understood that the talent of america restricted to any group. and that to meet the challenges of this nation and this world, we need the contributions, the

1:04:52 to 1:05:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: participation of every american. -- regardless of race, lardless of -- regardless of gender. he understood that for the working men and women of this country, they needed help. they needed a share in the bounty of this country. what we've seen over the last

1:05:14 to 1:05:35( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: decade has been growth up until the crisis of last september, but that growth was not shared fairly or evenly. ex salaries and bonuses. the working men and women were barely keeping up. and in order to prosperous economy, we need a

1:05:36 to 1:06:00( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: strong, prosperous middle class. his work in terms of education and health care and labor, all of that, had a purpose not only of helping individuals, but wisely trying to establish an environment for economic growth that we all could share. he also served on the defense committee with me.

1:06:01 to 1:06:21( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and he was very perceptive. he had spent many years viewing the world and his understanding of not only the military, but the forces, economic and cultural that shape our interaction with other countries was profound in its insights.

1:06:22 to 1:06:42( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: he was very clearly opposed to the operations in iraq because he understood that it was a strategic deviation from the real task which continues in afghanistan to root outl qaeda, to stablize the region, which is the most volatile region in the country.

1:06:43 to 1:07:03( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: that was just one example of his insights into the international arena. there i attributed to either his brother, john, or to senator kennedy, but i

1:07:04 to 1:07:24( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: appropriate for both, and it but either john or ted, according to the story, was standing outside a factory and a worker came up and said -- they tell me you've never worked a day in your life. and kennedy was taken aback. and then shortly the worker

1:07:25 to 1:07:47( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: said, don't worry, you haven't missed anything. a family of great privilege, of great opportunity, in fact, worked every day of their life, and particularly ted kennedy. hard, relentlessly to ensure that that person coming out of

1:07:48 to 1:08:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: the fact are had a chance. finally, what i sensed when i was at the funeral which was an extraordinary moving and inspirational, the outpouring of affection and regard for senator kennedy, not by the

1:08:14 to 1:08:36( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: assembled, but by ordinary here ling the route to arlington. he has a -- it bespeaks connection and validation american people of an individual who had trials and

1:08:37 to 1:08:59( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: triballations, but rose above it and served -- in cstant service to people who don't have a voice. in constant service to those who need a chance to help themselves, to help their families and, and to make the -- families, and to make the nation a better place. it reminded me of words spoken

1:09:00 to 1:09:21( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: about franklin delano roosevelt. washington, d.c., a man was visibly shaking, weeping, a reporter went up to him and said, you know, you're so upset. did you know the president? he said, no, i didn't know him, but he knew me.

1:09:22 to 1:09:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: and ted kennedy knew us all. he knew our strength. he knew our weaknesses. he knew that this government could make a difference in the he had shared the same difficulties and challenges that we face, children stricken with

1:09:46 to 1:10:07( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: cancer, the loss and one of his sisters in an airplane crash, the human reality. and because he knew us, he never stopped working for us. his legacy is extraordinary. it will inspire and sustain us

1:10:08 to 1:10:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: as we his loss, not just to his family, which is considerable to all of us, is balanced by how much he made u attuned to the challenge of serving america and leading the

1:10:32 to 1:10:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jack Reed: world. we will miss him, but our task now is to take up his work, to continue his efforts. that is the greatest tribute that we can pay and let us begin