Rangel Mourns the Death of Senator Edward Kennedy

August 26, 2009

I, like hundreds of thousands in the state of Massachusetts and across this nation, mourn the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy as we would any beloved family member.

Teddy was a dear friend and a great American who never stopped fighting to make sure that this country lived up to its greatest potential. Though fame and politics had bestowed his family many blessings, the Kennedys never forgot their humble beginnings and immigrant roots. With Teddy leading the way, they are a testament to the notion of public service and the idea that to those that much is given, much is expected.

His life and the legislation that he sponsored in Senate made a real difference, changing all of our lives for the better. For African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other historically underrepresented minorities, there was no bigger advocate, no bigger defender, of equal rights and opportunities in the Senate than Teddy. Civil rights, women's rights, human rights, affordable housing, education, healthcare -- wherever there was a battle to be fought in defense of the American Dream, Teddy was there.

These are tough times for America - we are at the crossroads of deciding not just how we will rebuild our economy but how we strengthen our democracy for generations. Not having Teddy Kennedy around to lead and inspire is a difficult blow. Yet the best thing we can do is not just remember his legacy, but to fight as hard as he would have for those things he most cared about. Maybe even harder. That's how we best remember this great man.