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"During my service in the United States Senate, I have often
been called a Liberal, and it usually was not meant as a compliment.
But I remember what my brother said about liberalism shortly before he
was elected president. He said: If by a Liberal, they mean someone
who looks ahead and not behind ...  Someone who welcomes new
ideas without rigid reactions ... Someone who cares about the welfare
of the people - their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs,
their civil liberties ... Someone who believes we can break through
the stalemate and the suspicion that grips us ... If that is what they
mean by a Liberal ... Then I am proud to say I am a Liberal."
 


The Legacy of Ted Kennedy under Assault

To appraise the value of a man's life is a daunting task.  Can one imagine the scope of influence one person wields on
the lives of all those they have encountered and on those whose paths, though never crossed, were still affected?  Can
any mortal being flawed with bias or imbued with the passion of great affection judge the entire life of one departed
soul? I think not - especially the dynamic life of Senator Ted Kennedy, who passed away this past Tuesday on
August 25, 2009.

Nonetheless, following the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, I share the sentiments of all those who have come forward to honor this great and imperfect man. Like the stories of most human beings, the pages of his life's book are marked with failures, mistakes, sorrows, and disappointments. But, unique to this man's legacy are the vast number of
stories that share one common theme: his unwavering devotion to bettering the lives of millions of Americans.

However, among those of us who are gathering to celebrate and memorialize the life of this great public servant,
there are also some who have decided to take this opportunity to judge the liberal Senator and to recount his darkest moments, to denounce his life work, and to demean the value of the causes to which he was so deeply committed:
civil rights, education, and health care.  

Though it is disgusting to observe these shameful displays, how much impact will these bias judgments have over the
course of time?  Will the Chappaquiddick scandal be the defining moment of Senator Ted Kennedy's entire life as
his greatest enemies insist, or will it be a truth that reflects all his deeds that will endure the test of time? I believe it
is the latter.

Though I was not burdened or privileged with the responsibilities of a life of public service, my darkest moments
and regrets had also come during a period in my life when I chose what I thought was the easier and softer way.
When the courage of my convictions gave way to fear and drunkenness, I hurt those who cared the most for me.
And, I too, had once thought that was the defining moment of my life.  But, I was wrong.

Thirty-one years later come this September, I will celebrate the gift of recovery from alcoholism. Over the course
of those sober years I made every effort possible to amend those harms done to others - trying to bring resolve and
peace to the lives I had affected, and to practice to the best of my ability a way of life that respects and cherishes
the rights of others. The imperfections and virtues of my personality are looked fondly upon by the vast majority of
people who know me today.  The real victory over any successful life is the result of love and forgiveness.

In viewing the modest scope of my own life, I can see and appreciate the story of the man we knew as Senator Ted Kennedy.  Rest in peace, Teddy; you will be missed.