We are Uncle Ted's pride. He trained us to be as strong and determined as him.
My whole life was framed by the Kennedys. They are the definition of what being a Democrat means. Big and little D democrats. They are Democrats when they don't have to be. They can just lay back & be super rich. But they chose to take us hoi polloi into their family.
We are all Kennedys. They invited us into their family. Eunice and Ted moreso than anyone.
Teddy and Eunice were our anchors. They kept us in the fold. They never let us down. But they had to go, and we have to let them go. Because everyone has to go. But we have to continue.
Those of us who grew up with the Kennedys, and those just getting acquainted, have to grab the torch and run with it.
There are more Kennedys who will step up. That's how they are. Bold and fearless.
I pray we will never be without a Kennedy to lead and inspire us, and I'm convinced that Ted Kennedy adopted us all and assured it.
The Kennedys can't take the whole weight of saving America. Unless we are all Kennedys.
We all have to do our parts.
They gave us their best and brightest, and taught us to be best and brightest.
I am a Kennedy. I have been a Kennedy since 1960. I wasn't born a Kennedy. But I never knew a good or bad day when I wasn't cheering or crying for a Kennedy.
The Kennedys have been fighting for me all my life, and they didn't have to.
I hope that I can be that kind of Kennedy. That I can be that strong and kind, and determined to do the good thing.
I hope that I can be the kind of Kennedy Uncle Teddy wants me to be.
Thank you, Ted, for making me a Kennedy.
And I hope we won't get into a Dead Kennedys thingy.
Let's try to be respectful here. Let's try to have the grace a Kennedy would show.