Sen. Ted Kennedy made his first public appearance of the new Congress this morning to chair a hearing to consider President-elect Obama's pick of Tom Daschle to head HHR.
It was a solemn promise Ted Kennedy made to his colleagues and constituents more than four months ago at the Democratic National Convention: despite battling a malignant brain tumor, the 76-year-old senator would come back to the US Senate in January and dedicate himself to delivering healthcare plan that would cover all Americans. He has kept that promise!
Indeed... welcome back, Senator Kennedy. Everybody wishes you well, even your staunchest detractors in the senate. They admire you and respect you, just as the nation does.
“I must say how wonderful it is to see you in that chair again,” Daschle said.
"We're thrilled to have you here with us," said Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).
"Sen. Kennedy, welcome home," said Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.).
HELP Committee ranking member Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) observed that Kennedy holding the Senate's first hearing of 2009 is a clear sign that he's showing no sign of slowing down.
This is truly a momentous time in American political history, and Ted Kennedy is just the person to help steer the health care reform that President-elect Obama and most Americans want and need. The new American health care plan will be Ted Kennedy's legacy, and he's not going anywhere until it passes the Congress and is signed by President Obama into law! If anyone can get national healthcare passed at this time in history, it is Ted Kennedy. Even the hard-nosed souless GOP'ers have got to give him this.
Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor eight months ago but looked fit Thursday. Little more than a slight tremor in his hands stood as evidence of the serious illnesses and traumatic medical treatments the nine-term senator has endured in recent months.
Kennedy's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee met Thursday to consider Obama's nomination of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) to be secretary of Health and Human Services and director of the newly created White House Office of Health Reform. The event marked the first Senate hearing of the 111th Congress.
"Reform is urgently needed and Tom Daschle is just the person for the job," Kennedy said.
Apart from a dramatic return to the Senate this summer to serve as the tie-breaking vote on a Medicare bill and a prime-time address at the Democratic National Committee, Kennedy has kept a low public profile since his diagnosis.
But the “Lion of the Senate” has been working extensively behind the scenes on health reform, and was scarcely expected to miss the opportunity to preside over the Daschle hearing.
Kennedy did not acknowledge the significance of his appearance but his colleagues did not allow it to go without remark.
http://thehill.com/...
Ted Kennedy is celebrated in this country because he's one of the few politicians we have who actually cares about the poor and the vulnerable and has fought for them all his political life. He's not a perfect man, but he is a great one...