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Pa. pols chime in on Kennedy

The passing of Senator Ted Kennedy brought the inevitable flurry of official statements from the Keystone State’s current and former elected officials and political candidates.

Here is just a sampling of what they had to say.

Senator Arlen Specter:

“Senator Kennedy made historic contributions on civil rights, health care, education, the Judiciary, labor law, immigration, and virtually all facets of life in America. Working with him on the big issues of our era was a real privilege.”

Gov. Ed Rendell:

“I was saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, one of the true giants of American public life. It marks the end of an era in our nation’s politics, and indeed in our nation’s history.

“During almost five decades in the United States Senate, Ted Kennedy led the fight for the most vulnerable and least fortunate among us. He valued every person, no matter their station in life, and he worked tirelessly until the very end to make sure that all Americans could live in dignity and peace.

“He knew that the strength of a nation lies in the strength of its people, so he dedicated himself to fighting for all children to receive a good education, for everyone to have access to high-quality health care, and for everyone to have the opportunity for economic progress – in short, that everyone had the chance to share in the American dream.

“The United States has lost one of its greatest statesmen of all time. I will miss him as a friend, and the nation will miss him for the leadership, the guidance and the love that he gave to all of us.”

Congressman Chaka Fattah:

“Senator Teddy Kennedy’s vision, drive and effectiveness as the advocate for those who are underserved in our society has been an inspiration to me throughout my career, starting with my work as a young political activist in his 1980 Presidential campaign.

“That early connection grew into a friendship and partnership on our shared vision of the desperate need for comprehensive reform of education policies. As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee he was the leading advocate for GEAR UP – Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, the groundbreaking college readiness initiative I authored in 1998. Senator Kennedy was always especially proud of the success of GEAR UP in his native Boston, and continued to advocate for the program on the national level.

“Beyond education, quality health care for all Americans was Teddy Kennedy’s signature issue from his first days in public life. His zeal and passion for healthcare reform continues as a living monument in the current debate. For Teddy Kennedy as well as for all Americans, we will reform healthcare for all and advance the Kennedy vision.”

Former Senator Rick Santorum:

“Passionate, tough, committed, persistent, theatrical and obstinate.  That was Ted Kennedy.

If you were not on the very top of your game negotiating with Ted Kennedy and his loyal staff, the blood on the mat would undoubtedly be all yours.  I respected him as an incredibly skilled senator and unbending fighter for the most liberal of causes that he believed would benefit our country.

When he was out of the arena, he was an affable colleague who was fun to be around.  On a personal note, I will always warmly remember in October of 1996 that he was the first of my Senate colleagues to call me and express his condolences for the loss of our son Gabriel.

My deepest sympathies go out to his wonderful wife Vicki and the Kennedy family.”

August 26, 2009 at 7:11 pm

--pa2010.com Staff

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