LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of United States Senator
Edward Moore Kennedy, the third longest-serving member of the United
States Senate in American history

WHEREAS, In this time of national mourning, this Legislative Body,
representing the people of the State of New York, is moved this day to
honor the life and the service of United States Senator Edward Moore
Kennedy, a man of unquestioned character, integrity, and true defender
of the American dream who had a profound and lasting impact upon our
Nation; and
WHEREAS, On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Edward (Ted) Kennedy died at his
home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, at the age of 77; and
WHEREAS, The heartfelt condolences of this Legislative Body are
offered with sympathy and respect to the family of Senator Ted Kennedy,
his wife, Vicki, and his five children Kara, Edward Jr., Patrick, Curran
and Caroline; and
WHEREAS, Known as the liberal lion of the US Senate, Ted Kennedy was
known as a champion for equal justice for every American, but especially
for those who were left out and left behind; he was instrumental for his
contributions to the causes of voting and civil rights; and
WHEREAS, Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and a graduate of Harvard
University, Ted Kennedy played as a Senior Right End for the school's
football team in 1955; his promise on the football field had caught the
notice of Green Bay Packer Head Coach Lisle Blackbourn, and he was high-
ly recommended by a number of coaches and talent scouts as a possible
Pro Prospect, but Ted Kennedy declined in order to attend law school at
the University of Virginia and soon thereafter launched his political
career; and
WHEREAS, With the tragic loss of his beloved older brothers, John in
1963 and Robert in 1968, Ted Kennedy was thrust to the forefront of an
immensely powerful political family; and
WHEREAS, During his eight terms in the Senate representing Massachu-
setts, Ted Kennedy rose to become one of the Democratic Party's most
powerful and eloquent legislators; he was praised for his unyieldingly
liberal positions on various issues; and
WHEREAS, For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation
to advance the civil rights, health, and economic well-being of the
American people bore Ted Kennedy's name and resulted from his efforts;
he fought for and won so many great battles for voting rights, educa-
tion, immigration reform, minimum wage, national service, and the
nation's first major legislation to combat AIDS; in addition, he sought
equality for minorities, women, the disabled, and gay Americans; and
WHEREAS, Senator Ted Kennedy succeeded in bringing quality and afford-
able health care for countless Americans, including children, seniors
and Americans with disabilities; he stood for human rights abroad from
Chile to the former Soviet Union, and was a leader in the cause of
poverty relief for the poorest nations of Africa and throughout the
world; and
WHEREAS, A believer in a strong national defense, Ted Kennedy unceas-
ingly pursued and advanced the work of nuclear arms control; he was the
conscience of the Democratic party, and also the Senate's greatest
master of forging compromise with the Republican party; he was widely
respected on both sides of the aisle for his commitment to progress and
his ability to legislate; and
WHEREAS, Senator Ted Kennedy was Chairman of the Senate Health, Educa-
tion, Labor and Pensions Committees; previously, he was Chairman of the

Senate Judiciary Committee, and served on that committee for many years;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, Senator Ted Kennedy served on the Senate Armed
Services Committee and the Congressional Joint Economic Committee; he
was a leader of the Congressional Friends of Ireland and helped lead the
way toward peace on that island; and
WHEREAS, Senator Ted Kennedy's support of Barack Obama as the Demo-
cratic nominee for president was seen as a key factor in determining
President Obama's election as the nation's first African-American to
serve in the White House; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of United States Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, the third
longest-serving member of the United States Senate in American history;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy.