Loss of a Liberal Lion

I'd like to add my voice to those who are mourning the passing last night of Senator Edward Kennedy, following a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Over the last 40+ years, Senator Kennedy was instrumental in the passage of legislation that has made all our lives better, especially in the areas of civil rights and health care (which he described last month in Newsweek as the cause of his life).

"We lost a true legislative hero in Ted Kennedy -- a defender of women, children and all those who are discriminated against and underserved in this country," said NOW President Terry O'Neill in a statement issued this morning. 

"We have Kennedy to thank for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. He was a great leader in the fight for health care reform, and I only hope that we can honor him by passing real reform designed to benefit the people -- not insurance CEOs."

President Barack Obama has issued the following proclamation:

Senator Edward M. Kennedy was not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. Over the past half-century, nearly every major piece of legislation that has advanced the civil rights, health, and economic well-being of hte Amercan people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. With his passing, an important chapter in our American story has come to an end.

American flags at public buildings and facilities will be flown at half-staff until sunset on August 30 and again until sunset on the day of Kennedy's internment.

Condolences to the Kennedy family. I, for one, vow to work harder to see the fruition of his life's cause.