What Ted Kennedy Means To Massachusetts

What Ted Kennedy Means To Massachusetts

http://wbztv.com/politics/Kennedy.brain.tumor.2.728578.html

May 20, 2008

Reporting: Jon Keller

BOSTON (WBZ) ―

For millions of Americans and others around the world who grew up admiring the Kennedy brothers and what they stood for, Ted Kennedy is an iconic figure. For thousands and thousands of people who have been affected by the legislation Ted has championed during his 46-year Senate career – low-wage workers making higher minimums, seniors enjoying health benefits, students receiving student loans, minorities protected by civil rights legislation just to name a few – he is a guardian angel.

But we here in Massachusetts enjoy an extra benefit from having Ted Kennedy represent us. He is, by all accounts and by bi-partisan consensus, the most effective inside player on Capitol Hill in modern times.

What does that really mean? It means that if you have a good job at a hospital, a lab, a university, a military base, or any other place that relies on federal funding, chances are you owe that job to Kennedy's work on the Senate floor. And it means that if you ever have a problem with the feds, you have perhaps the nation's most tireless, effective advocate at your disposal.

Consider this true story, told to me by a leading local Republican, on the condition that I not name names: a few years back, a conservative Republican businessman down the South Shore ran afoul of a federal bureaucracy and its arcane interpretation of federal regulations governing that industry. Their dispute mushroomed into a fight; the bureaucracy dug in its heels. The businessman turned to his congressman for help; no luck. He called Sen. John Kerry; his call went unreturned. Desperate and facing bankruptcy, the businessman placed what he assumed would be a futile phone call to Kennedy's office.

Within an hour, a high-level staffer was on the phone soliciting details of the businessman's plight. Would he be at that same phone number later that day? Yes, our desperate citizen said. Two hours later, the phone rings. It's Ted Kennedy. He asks detailed questions about the situation for ten minutes, then asks if the businessman will be reachable at that number the next morning at 10 a.m. The businessman hangs up, pleasantly stunned and hopeful.

The next morning at 10 sharp, the businessman receives a phone call from the federal bureaucrat who's been torturing him. Surprise – upon further review, it appears they have misinterpreted the rules, and the businessman's problem is now gone. He hangs up the phone, overcome with relief, and within minutes, it rings again. It's Ted. Did you get a call from that agency? Is everything all set now? Here is a name and number in my office to call 24/7 if any further hassles arise.

Now that's a legislator. That's Sen. Ted Kennedy. And that's the kind of irreplaceable service and caring we stand to lose is – God forbid – anything should force Ted to the sidelines.

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kannese 05-20-2008, 4:45 PM Add to the Discussion

Thank you Senator Ted Kennedy, you & your family has inspired me. My son has a progressive neuro-muscular disease and your office has helped us so much.I remember seeing your son Edward Jr. at Children's Hospital during our many trips there & he was so amazing. You're family has survived so many tradgedy's & been so inspirational to me during this adventure in my life. I wish you only the best & a speedy recovery. My son faced a surgery only option in March & has prevailed.
They never thought he would survive. I believe you will also.

Our prayers are with you & your family

Kindest Regards, Kathleen Annese

dollyaruda 05-20-2008, 5:11 PM Add to the Discussion
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. We may have different names, but I consider you as a member of my family. More than thirty years ago, I wrote you about a personal matter. You were so kind and thoughtful to respond to me. I still have that letter. I feel so honored to have you as my senator. You are an amazing man and an incredible representative for our state of Massachusetts. Thank you so much for all you have done for the citizens of our state. Please fight this as hard as you fight for us, we love you and we need you. You are so real and work hard for those of us who struggle and we will always be grateful for that as we continue to pray for you. You will always have a special place in my heart. May God bless you and give you a speedy recovery.

To your family: Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with all of us. I will remember you all in my prayers.

With much love from a very grateful friend.

Best wishes, Dolly

spottydots 05-20-2008, 5:10 PM Add to the Discussion
I am a survivor of a brain tumor. When I contacted Sen. Kennedy's Office for assistance, I received the help I needed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Sen. and his family. Sen. Kennedy you are a fighter and, I know he will beat this as I did!!!

khalil_N 05-20-2008, 5:08 PM Add to the Discussion
11 years ago. My Mother applied for a visa to come visit me in Boston after the birth of my Daughter. Her request was denied by US Consulate in Morocco. I wrote to Senator Kennedy asking for help with this matter. Within few weeks I had a letter from his office in Washington DC addressed to US Consular in Morocco.

That move from Senator Kennedy showed me what kind of GREAT LEADER his. My family wishes and prayers go out to the Kennedy family.

Aziz

m barry 05-20-2008, 5:14 PM Add to the Discussion
My Dear Senator Kennedy, I have written to you on many occasions mostly about our soldiers, seeing my son is one of them and you have been absolutly on top of what is right for out soldiers. I sit here crying, like one of my own family members is at Mass General. I admire you as a man and a great asset to Massachusetts. May God be at your side at this time to keep you here with us. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. May you have comfort and know you are loved.

Mary Barry

ibf-bos 05-20-2008, 4:59 PM Add to the Discussion
I remember walking home one evening through Faneuil Hall marketplace as I did every evening but this evening there were thousands of people. As I stepped in closer to see what was going on, the crowd began to roar. I stood on my toes and tried to see what rock star was there-- who else could have such fans. Then I saw Senator Kennedy reaching out into the crowd to shake hands. He was adored and he returned that feeling through his work and his respect for those of us he represented, and what I mean by that is all Americans, because he stood up for all of us.

My thoughts are with him and his family.

pckitcat 05-20-2008, 5:04 PM Add to the Discussion

Dear Senator Kennedy, And Family I am Brain tumor survivor,Two surgeries, 2006 and 2007 I want to let you know you are in my thoughts and Prayers, I belong to the Massachusetts Brain tumor foundation and the Meningioma Momma"s non-profit 24/7 on line support group. we are across the country as well as internationally We are here for family members as well as caregivers, I assure you ,that you will not be alone in this often frightening journey.

If we can be of any help please contact us @ www.meningioma mommas".com

Sincerely, Catherine

Regards,

Catherine, E.Bridgewater, Mass.

tracypez 05-20-2008, 4:35 PM Add to the Discussion
Dear Senator Kennedy,

My family wishes to extend our thoughts and prayers to you. I was born in Massachusetts in 1960 and have lived here my whole life. I have brought my children up knowing that they live in a state where their senator has passed the most legislation in US history. You are the symbol and embodiment of what it means to give for the greater good, to work for the whole, not just for some. Our family often uses a qoute I've heard yours refer to.

"For of those to whom much is given, much is required."

Thank You for giving so much.

Godspeed,

The Pezzella Family

Newburyport,MA

SENATOR JOHN KERRY: Thank you, sir, thank you. Well, I want to thank the Academy the … Oh, that’s last night. (laughter) Actually, that's a speech that everybody would love to give, second only to the speech that I would really love to give, which is, "I, John Kerry, do solemnly swear." (applause and laughter)

When Teddy called me about this award, I was speechless and he said, "That's a good start." There's no way for me adequately to express to any of you here how this really does touch me and how important this is to me in measuring life’s journey. And I say that because as Ted just said to you in his introduction, I was inspired by his brothers and I was inspired by him. And that's what brought me to the great cause of public service. So I’m grateful to Senator Kennedy and if anybody here understands why he is on that plane, the last plane out of here getting back to manage that bill, believe me I do, and so do you. I am blessed to serve, and you are blessed to have serve you without doubt one of the greatest United States senators to ever serve in the United States Senate. And we are so privileged here in Massachusetts to have him. (applause) I’m not Teddy’s longest-serving colleague. I don't know how many of you know that. Twenty years we have been in this great battle together. And, you know, it’s interesting, for a person who is … I think he’s about 20 years my senior in the Senate … he was the most valiant, the best partner that I could have had in the efforts over the course of the last two years.

And many people might look at it and sort of say, "Well, you know, he's got every reason in the world to stand back and he ran himself," and so forth. He was a dynamo unto himself, and we had more fun out there. I got to tell you, anybody who knows Ted Kennedy, you know if you're out there with Ted Kennedy, you have fun. And I will tell you, he was a great foil for me because I would come out to an audience after Teddy had introduced me, and I’d talk about how this fellow had come up to me and asked me what it was like to serve in the United States Senate with an icon like Ted Kennedy, and what it was like to know that no matter how long were I to serve in the Senate, if I served, I would never accomplish what Ted Kennedy had accomplished. And what it was like to live with a living legend like Ted Kennedy. And then I’d stand up and tell the audience, "And the man who asked me that was Ted Kennedy." (laughter) So we had this ongoing back and forth and give and take.

But the best moment, I think, was shared with my daughter Vanessa when they were down in New Mexico together doing an event with Native Americans. And the event suddenly became very, very serious and Ted and my daughter had to stand there at attention and this dance was taking place and the music was growing louder and louder. And then they had to clasp hands and stand there together while this feather blessing took place, and it was really very, very moving and they were both very touched by it. But at the end of it, as the music grew and the blessing grew and the seriousness grew, Ted leans over to my daughter and says, "I think we just got married." (laughter)

By the way, I heard the introduction of Ted as the Lion in Winter, and I think that ends with the lion imprisoning his wife and sending her off, so we better end that reference. But I will tell you, Ted Kennedy in the caucus of the Senate, time and again when people are wondering which way we should move, or whether or not this is a cause worth fighting, and sometimes there is some silly talk, and you’ve all heard it in politics and business and life. Ted Kennedy is a guy who stands up there and he calls people back to their senses and back to their moral compass. And I think Teresa would join me in saying to every single person here, we are blessed not just to serve with him, I am blessed not just to serve with him as the senior Senator, but we are blessed in Massachusetts to have a remarkable statesman and an extraordinary committed activist and advocate. And they don’t come better in friendship or in advocacy than Ted Kennedy.