Barack Obama's Eulogy for Ted Kennedy

Remarks of the President for the Funeral Mass of the Mass. Senator

(CBS)  The following are remarks provided by the White House for the president's eulogy delivered at the funeral of Sen. Edward Kennedy, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Roxbury, Mass.

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Mrs. Kennedy, Kara, Edward, Patrick, Curran, Caroline, members of the Kennedy family, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Today we say goodbye to the youngest child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy. The world will long remember their son Edward as the heir to a weighty legacy; a champion for those who had none; the soul of the Democratic Party; and the lion of the United States Senate - a man whose name graces nearly one thousand laws, and who penned more than three hundred laws himself.

But those of us who loved him, and ache with his passing, know Ted Kennedy by the other titles he held: Father. Brother. Husband. Grandfather. Uncle Teddy, or as he was often known to his younger nieces and nephews, "The Grand Fromage," or "The Big Cheese." I, like so many others in the city where he worked for nearly half a century, knew him as a colleague, a mentor, and above all, as a friend.

Ted Kennedy was the baby of the family who became its patriarch; the restless dreamer who became its rock. He was the sunny, joyful child who bore the brunt of his brothers' teasing, but learned quickly how to brush it off. When they tossed him off a boat because he didn't know what a jib was, six-year-old Teddy got back in and learned to sail. When a photographer asked the newly-elected Bobby to step back at a press conference because he was casting a shadow on his younger brother, Teddy quipped, "It'll be the same in Washington."

Complete coverage of Sen. Kennedy's life and death

That spirit of resilience and good humor would see Teddy through more pain and tragedy than most of us will ever know. He lost two siblings by the age of sixteen. He saw two more taken violently from a country that loved them. He said goodbye to his beloved sister, Eunice, in the final days of his life. He narrowly survived a plane crash, watched two children struggle with cancer, buried three nephews, and experienced personal failings and setbacks in the most public way possible.

It is a string of events that would have broken a lesser man. And it would have been easy for Ted to let himself become bitter and hardened; to surrender to self-pity and regret; to retreat from public life and live out his years in peaceful quiet. No one would have blamed him for that.

But that was not Ted Kennedy. As he told us, "…[I]ndividual faults and frailties are no excuse to give in - and no exemption from the common obligation to give of ourselves." Indeed, Ted was the "Happy Warrior" that the poet William Wordsworth spoke of when he wrote:

As tempted more; more able to endure,
As more exposed to suffering and distress;
Thence, also, more alive to tenderness.

Through his own suffering, Ted Kennedy became more alive to the plight and suffering of others - the sick child who could not see a doctor; the young soldier sent to battle without armor; the citizen denied her rights because of what she looks like or who she loves or where she comes from. The landmark laws that he championed - the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, immigration reform, children's health care, the Family and Medical Leave Act - all have a running thread. Ted Kennedy's life's work was not to champion the causes of those with wealth or power or special connections. It was to give a voice to those who were not heard; to add a rung to the ladder of opportunity; to make real the dream of our founding. He was given the gift of time that his brothers were not, and he used that gift to touch as many lives and right as many wrongs as the years would allow.

We can still hear his voice bellowing through the Senate chamber, face reddened, fist pounding the podium, a veritable force of nature, in support of health care or workers' rights or civil rights. And yet, as has been noted, while his causes became deeply personal, his disagreements never did. While he was seen by his fiercest critics as a partisan lightning rod, that is not the prism through which Ted Kennedy saw the world, nor was it the prism through which his colleagues saw Ted Kennedy. He was a product of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of party and platform and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect - a time when adversaries still saw each other as patriots.

And that's how Ted Kennedy became the greatest legislator of our time. He did it by hewing to principle, but also by seeking compromise and common cause - not through deal-making and horse-trading alone, but through friendship, and kindness, and humor. There was the time he courted Orrin Hatch for his support for the Children's Health Insurance Program by having his Chief of Staff serenade the Senator with a song Orrin had written himself; the time he delivered shamrock cookies on a china plate to sweeten up a crusty Republican colleague; and the famous story of how he won the support of a Texas Committee Chairman on an immigration bill. Teddy walked into a meeting with a plain manila envelope, and showed only the Chairman that it was filled with the Texan's favorite cigars. When the negotiations were going well, he would inch the envelope closer to the Chairman. When they weren't, he would pull it back. Before long, the deal was done.

It was only a few years ago, on St. Patrick's Day, when Teddy buttonholed me on the floor of the Senate for my support on a certain piece of legislation that was coming up for a vote. I gave him my pledge, but I expressed skepticism that it would pass. But when the roll call was over, the bill garnered the votes it needed, and then some. I looked at Teddy with astonishment and asked how had he done it. He just patted me on the back, and said "Luck of the Irish!"

Of course, luck had little to do with Ted Kennedy's legislative success, and he knew that. A few years ago, his father-in-law told him that he and Daniel Webster just might be the two greatest senators of all time. Without missing a beat, Teddy replied, "What did Webster do?"

But though it is Teddy's historic body of achievements we will remember, it is his giving heart that we will miss. It was the friend and colleague who was always the first to pick up the phone and say, "I'm sorry for your loss," or "I hope you feel better," or "What can I do to help?" It was the boss who was so adored by his staff that over five hundred spanning five decades showed up for his 75th birthday party. It was the man who sent birthday wishes and thank you notes and even his own paintings to so many who never imagined that a U.S. Senator of such stature would take the time to think about someone like them. I have one of those paintings in my private study off the Oval Office - a Cape Cod seascape that was a gift to a freshman legislator and who happened to admire it when Ted Kennedy welcomed him into his office the first week he arrived in Washington; by the way, that's my second favorite gift from Teddy and Vicki after our dog Bo. And it seems like everyone has one of those stories - the ones that often start with "You wouldn't believe who called me today."

Ted Kennedy was the father who looked after not only his own three children, but John's and Bobby's as well. He took them camping and taught them to sail. He laughed and danced with them at birthdays and weddings; cried and mourned with them through hardship and tragedy; and passed on that same sense of service and selflessness that his parents had instilled in him. Shortly after Ted walked Caroline down the aisle and gave her away at the altar, he received a note from Jackie that read, "On you the carefree youngest brother fell a burden a hero would have begged to be spared. We are all going to make it because you were always there with your love."

Not only did the Kennedy family make it because of Ted's love - he made it because of theirs; and especially because of the love and the life he found in Vicki. After so much loss and so much sorrow, it could not have been easy for Ted to risk his heart again. And that he did is a testament to how deeply he loved this remarkable woman from Louisiana. And she didn't just love him back. As Ted would often acknowledge, Vicki saved him. She gave him strength and purpose; joy and friendship; and stood by him always, especially in those last, hardest days.

We cannot know for certain how long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials or misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know what God's plan is for us.

What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and with love, and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we can know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others.

This is how Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said as has already been mentioned of his brother Bobby that he need not be idealized or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life, and I imagine he would say the same about himself. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy's shoulders because of who he was, but he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office. We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy - not for the sake of ambition or vanity; not for wealth or power; but only for the people and the country that he loved.

In the days after September 11th, Teddy made it a point to personally call each one of the 177 families of this state who lost a loved one in the attack. But he didn't stop there. He kept calling and checking up on them. He fought through red tape to get them assistance and grief counseling. He invited them sailing, played with their children, and would write each family a letter whenever the anniversary of that terrible day came along. To one widow, he wrote the following:

"As you know so well, the passage of time never really heals the tragic memory of such a great loss, but we carry on, because we have to, because our loved one would want us to, and because there is still light to guide us in the world from the love they gave us."

We carry on.

Ted Kennedy has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those that he has loved and lost. At last he is with them once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good that he did, the dream he kept alive, and a single, enduring image - the image of a man on a boat; white mane tousled; smiling broadly as he sails into the wind, ready for whatever storms may come, carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon. May God Bless Ted Kennedy, and may he rest in eternal peace.

[NadineBuddy]

This funeral/charade is an embarrassment to the Catholic church and the Catholics. This guy should have been excommunicated from the church years ago, along with John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, and rest of the Kennedy clan. If you are pro abortion and pro euthanasia, there is no room in the Catholic church for you. Aside from being excommunicated from the church, Ted Kennedy should have been in prison for murder (Mary Jo). I wonder if he met her on the "other" side and she commented "you left me to drown, you bastard". What hypocrites these people are.

[angrycptlst]

Never before in the two hundred and thirty three year history of the Republic have we faced as great a threat to our individual freedoms as that which is Obama. He has sought not only to co-opt a huge segment of the economic capacity of this nation through the government seizure of the banking and automotive industry, but now he and his fellow leaches on the national wealth seek to annex an even larger segment of the nation?s identity. The proposed government takeover of the health care system represents a direct threat to the individual sovereignty of each and every productive member of this Nation. These shackles, once bound may never again be broken, forever condemning us, the producer, to the same fate as that of the mindless slave.

More at:
http://www.hostileopposition.blogspot.com

[speakinup23]

I've been dreading this month since Kennedy was first diagnosed.

Can we get on with running the country and let this Liberal RIP.

I mean - let's stop the world from revolving why don't we... Shese!

[gronamox]

The greatest ones have all but passed on. Their legacy is a nation in tatters, because the succeeding generations have followed in history's well trod path of decay and then the fall of all great empires. When I look at the leaders of this nation I am embarrassed. They are stupid, arrogant, greedy, mean-spirited, corrupt and shallow sanctimonious traitors. They have cheapened patriotism, God, and goodness. Barack Obama is perhaps the last best hope. He has the mind and spirit for re-greening this land, but the citizenry is so second rate and stagnates way beneath what once was the Gold Standard: the American Pioneer. For one brief shining moment, known as Camelot.

[julesarcher1]

Do not despair. We have hope.

[johngarvey]

Christ, who I was thinking of with no regards to the deceased people of the world, fed the hungry, and clothed the naked, but did he educate the illiterate, where education is the feeding and clothing of the mind.

[bradkt1]

President Obama did just fine by me with his eulogy...and so did Ted Kennedy with his life. In one way or another, he helped a lot of people...including me and many of my friends. The laws that he championed changed the lives of millions for the better and touched the lives of almost every American. This nation as a whole is much better off due to his leadersship. He was a great man who had his flaws, but he was a great man nevertheless.

The nasty partisan comments made by his critics do not stain either Senator Kennedy's memory or his legacy. They only speak volumes about the bitter, partisan, nasty and small-minded characters of those who make them.

Thank you Senator Kennedy.

[pepperwood2]

Barack Obama's Eulogy for Ted Kennedy ..... Remarks of the President for the Funeral Mass of the Mass. Senator.

You did a fine job Mr. President but you should have insisted that the Bishop have all the Crucifixes & Statues either removed or covered up in the Basilica when you gave Our Beloved Ted's Eulogy. It's not like you to pass up on an opportunity such as this to let your Muslim heritage so shine. I'm disappointed!

[dbaecht]

President Obama did a sterling job, but he's a christian not muslim. you go by pepperwood2, but it should be *********** or ***********.
Ted Kennedy was a allright was he flawed, yes, but who amongst aren't. At least he knew he was and became better for those flaws.

[trucker581]

Ted Kennedy was one of the very few politicans that actually gave a **** about the man who picked up the lunch box everyday....THANK YOU TEDDY....RIP

[skyk-2009]

Any Man who has TWO son's as fine as the one's I saw today HAS TO BE a real stand up guy. God Speed Teddy we will miss you!

[pepperwood2]

Why wasn't Bill & Hillary given their 15 minutes to deliver their fond eulogy farewell to our beloved Ted. What happened? Am I missing something?

[skyk-2009]

LOL Well frankly YOU are missing a lot as the train has already left the station. LOL Obama and NOT Bill or Hillary is the head of the Party... the Party that Kennedy LOVED so much.

[User_00000000002945496845]

by pepperwood2 August 29, 2009 3:09 PM EDT
Why wasn't Bill & Hillary given their 15 minutes to deliver their fond eulogy farewell to our beloved Ted. What happened? Am I missing something?

_______________________________________________________

Yes. Noun-verb agreement. Go back to fifth grade.

[woeisme1]

I think Obama did a fairly good job with the eulogy. Obama is facing a tremendous struggle to carry on the torch of Ted Kennedy's legacy.

I am not sure he will be able to do that. Obama is no Ted Kennedy. I am not undermining Obama's qualities, I just don't really know him yet. But Obama does not possess that good old fighting Irish spirit the Kennedy's were famous for, and loved for - that spirit which secured for this country some of the most landamrk legislation of all time.

I voted for Obama. I hope he does well both personally and politically thus insuring that Americans will benefit from his political and personal life in the same way that we benefitted from Ted Kennedy's.

No doubt the Kennedy family took our breath away. An entire generation of Americans know that an era has ended. I shudder to think what our future holds, but already it does not look as if it will be marked by the nobility of the greatest generation.

To hold the hope of Ted Kennedy that "better days are always ahead" is all we can do.

[blitzder]

The only ones cheering are the LOSER sour grapes republicans, but even in death Ted is an inspiration to all. Let his civil efforts live on.

[HGOODGUY]

woeisme
Thanks for your sincere and thoughtful post--I could not agree with you more.
Unfortunately it is falling on deaf ears!!!

[skyk-2009]

I've know President Obama since he was a Pup trying to salvage a community devastated by Steel Mill Shutdowns in Chicago. You need not worry about him, he was raised in Fire and has been tempered by the worst of times in a Working Class Community. Kennedy KNEW this and although he thought long and hard, that is the reason he picked Obama to back instead of Hillary. He said it himself, it wasn't that she didn't have what it took, Obama just has more of it.

[User_00000000002945496845]

by popstom105 August 29, 2009 5:38 PM EDT
obama lived and work out of hyde park one of the riches part of chicago.
And hs's never been near a still mill

______________________________________________________________

I doubt he's been near a "still mill" too, Albert Einstein.

[two-cats]

I wouldn't count Obama out in any way nor would I compare him to Ted Kennedy. They have different styles but both are and were entirely eloquent when speaking and utterly charming. I like Obama...his eulogy was befitting, plus it had the silver tone which such a remembrance should have.

[nestofkin]

we can only hope and believe that the spirit of the LION will guide and inspire obama from yonder.Obama has been selected, promoted, and elected by that majority which the LION SOUGHT TO PROTCT by the laws he championed.Be rest assured that obama will deliver abundantly because the spirit of the LION is with him.well spoken woeisy,you have common sense and abondant Goodwill, the essential condiments for a civil commonwealth.

[speakinup23]

"I voted for Obama. I hope he does well both personally and politically thus insuring that Americans will benefit from his political and personal life in the same way that we benefitted from Ted Kennedy's. - woeisme1


Which entitlement did you get from Kennedy ?

HAving yor vote bought with other's money is beneficial isn't it...

[speakinup23]

"I've know President Obama since he was a Pup trying to salvage a community devastated by Steel Mill Shutdowns in Chicago. - skyk-2009 August 29, 2009 4:28 PM EDT


un-huh, just like the time Bush spoke to you personally, right ?

You are such a liar, skyking.

[cs4466]

Thank you, Senator! You were an inspiration to us all!

Well. Except those few that think Sarah Palin will be president in 2012. Perhaps they could apply for mental health counseling under the public option in health care reform.

[speakinup23]

Barack Obama's Eulogy for Ted Kennedy - article title.

"Thank you, Senator! You were an inspiration to us all! cs4466


In case you hadn't noticed cs4466, Obama is now a President...

But what the hay, we won't hold you to current events. You never seem to for yourself.

[amazedd]

Every time a Kennedy dies the hardest hit are at the White House.
His truth is marching on!