Kennedy Praised as Legislator, conciliator

quote from news article with same name as title by Glen Johnson Associated Press received in relatively local newspaper(Monterey county herald) August 27th 2009

"--Bush was typical, noting that he and the 77-year-old Kennedy worked together on immigration, mental illness and public education issues, including joining forces on the "No Child Left Behind" law still derided by Democrats and their union allies.
quote from article


"In a life filled with trials," Bush said, "Ted Kennedy never gave in to self-pity or despair."

His father, former President George H.W. Bush, echoed that thought.

"While we didn't see eye to eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service," the elder Bush said.

The widow of another Republican president, Ronald Reagan, called Kennedy "an ally and a dear friend."

Nancy Reagan said: "Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research."

Obama led the nation in mourning, saying of Kennedy: "His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives — in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just — including myself."

Throughout Wednesday, the testimonials flowed from people and organizations whose causes Kennedy championed during a 47-year Senate career.

Kennedy "was simply the greatest champion American workers and the labor movement ever had in the U.S. Senate," said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the nation's largest federal employee union." end quote.

It appears all the heavyweights of present US History agree that Kennedy was simply the best, greatest and most effective Senator of the last 50 years of either party.