The Dream Lives On...

Senator Edward Kennedy passed away last night at the age of 77. He was the "Liberal Lion" or just the Lion of the Senate. Senator Kennedy first took office as Senator of Massachusetts in November of 1962, that is a month after my dad was born and served the people of Massachusetts and this country until his death. He was the youngest of the Kennedy Camelot. Brothers John was the President and Robert was the Senator of New York, both assassinated in the 1960s. He was next in line to take over the reigns however his bid for Presidency was stopped short due to an incident that happened in 1969. That didn't stop Senator Kennedy from fighting. He was the first high profile politician in the United States to suggest Universal Health Care. Senator Kennedy didn't live to see the day when this country has Universal Health Care. However, his dream never seem so close.

In 1980 after he conceded defeat to President Jimmy Carter in the Presidential primaries, Senator Kennedy said "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." He cared about the people, he cared for the youth and the poor in this country. Senator Kennedy was born into a wealthy, respected family yet he never forgot the less fortunate. His fight for Universal Health Care is a prime example. He was also one of the first to endorse young Senator from Illinois. In one of his last public appearances for his political party, the Lion of the Senate delivered a message for the people and for his country..."the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans, so with Barack Obama and for you and for me, our country will be committed to his cause. The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on."

The dream will live on, Mr. Senator.