REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

Blue Heron Farm
Chilmark, Massachusetts

THE PRESIDENT:  I wanted to say a few words this morning about the passing of an extraordinary leader, Senator Edward Kennedy.

Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counselor², and a friend.  And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread³.

Since Teddy's diagnosis⁴ last year, we've seen the courage with which he battled his illness.  And while these months have no doubt been difficult for him, they've also let him hear from people in every corner of our nation and from around the world just how much he meant to all of us.  His fight has given us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us:  the blessing⁵ of time to say thank you -- and goodbye.

The outpouring of love, gratitude⁶, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament⁷ to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives.  His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself.

The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party.  And at times, Ted¹ was the target of partisan⁸ campaign attacks.  But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered⁹ greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle¹⁰.  His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility¹¹, warmth, and good cheer.  He could passionately¹² battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines.

And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished¹³ Americans ever to serve our democracy.

His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end.  And the extraordinary good that he did lives on.  For his family, he was a guardian¹⁴.  For America, he was the defender¹⁵ of a dream.

I spoke¹⁶ earlier this morning to Senator Kennedy's beloved wife, Vicki, who was to the end such a wonderful source of encouragement and strength.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her, his children Kara, Edward, and Patrick; his stepchildren Curran and Caroline; the entire Kennedy family; decades' worth of his staff; the people of Massachusetts; and all Americans who, like us, loved Ted Kennedy.

END                                     
10:00 A.M. EDT