Many of us had some tie with Ted Kennedy — and for most of us it was simply having voted for him because we knew he would deliver for our state.
Today, watching the wonderful ceremony opening the new Ted Kennedy Institute for the US Senate, it dawned on me that his greatest gift was in being able to reach out to those who did not fully share his progressive values.
But the reason this was such a gift to our nation was that he used that gift to lead us forward into a more equal, a more prosperous, a more peaceful, and a more generous – spirited place by bringing together those who didn’t originally share his vision. Ted Kennedy brought us along gracefully into being that more generous nation.
Thank you, Senator Kennedy. Thank you because after all of your tribulations, you used your humanity to bring our nation and our community together in the end.
Fred Rich LaRiccia
…and I’m tempted to apply for a job there. In an age with a lack of civics education I hope their simulated Senate and other programs inspire kids to get into government and politics.