'Sweetest of Seasons'

" And Teddy -- Patrick."

" Current Caroline thank you for that privilege -- in his words here today. About my friend my colleague. Quarter century. From the moment of fatal diagnosis. Fourteen months ago. Until he left us. We so. Grace and courage. Dignity humility. Joy and left there. And so much love and gratitude and live it out on a daily basis. That our cup does run over. How devastating. The prognosis was -- left -- With his family waving to all. June a year ago. And that he live the next fourteen months in the way that he did. Optimistic. Full of hope striving and accomplishing still. That he did. Is in part a miracle yes. But it's equally a triumph of the love. And the care of -- Vicki and their children. And all who -- and gave them in such abundance. In many ways. I think it's fair to say that this time these last months. For a gift to all of us. The last twelve months of his life -- in many ways the sweetest of seasons because. He saw how much we love. How much we respected. And how unbelievably grateful we are for his stunning years of service and friendship. And what -- hear he had my friends. The accomplished more in that span of time than many senators do a lifetime. Mental health parity the tobacco act and health care bill out of this committee he spoke at the Democratic Convention. He wrote his memoirs. And he was there for the signing of the Edward M Kennedy service America act. And receiving the medal of freedom from the president. And a knighthood from the queen of England. I think many of you who were there would agree with me that perhaps one of the most poignant moments of all. Was when he was awarded an honorary degree from Harvard. His staff through the years was gathered in the front. And friends and family and admirers were scattered throughout the audience filled the Roman vice president elect Biden was there. And you have no idea how hard Ted practiced and -- to be able to do that and the convention and his appearance at the White House. To make a speech. That lived up to his high standards. He took the stage at Harvard and for a few moments we all worry that it would be difficult to pull off and then before you know it. His voice began to soar and the pace picked up and he inspired again. With a stunning restatement. Of his purpose in public life. When it was over the applause never wanted to end. He stayed on the stage reaching out to us -- to him. And we wanted him to stay there forever. I first met Ted Kennedy when I was eighteen years old. As a volunteer for his first senate campaign in the summer before I went to college. That I met and again when I return from Vietnam and we veterans encamped on the mall in Washington. It was Ted Kennedy who had the courage to come down to the mall one night in an attempt. Listen to us talk about Vietnam. We were controversial. With Ted broke the barriers and other senators follow. He worked -- hard up for me in the presidential race 2004. And he made -- difference in Iowa. When we were down in the polls and I was slugging it out there Ted brought his humor his energy. And his eloquence to Davenport to help melt the snows of that state. There we were just two weeks before the caucuses and his voice boomed out in this room you room."

" Voted for my brother. You -- it from my other brother. You room who didn't vote for me. And as the crowd roared with laughter Ted -- But we're back here for John Kerry and if you vote for John Kerry follow -- gives you would. Yeah get out. Three out of stories."

" And I'll love you that I -- let me tell you Iowa loves him. We have a lot of fun there. He would open an event and -- come out they say. I want to talk to you about -- handsome intelligent leader a man who should not only be president but it should end up on mount Rushmore. But enough about me."

" Now all talk about John Kerry. "

" After that agonizing Tuesday night in November when we fell so short in one state. There were -- and -- on -- Wednesday morning sitting with or is -- me in the kitchen in Boston. As we prepared to concede. He was always there when you needed them. And so we're sunny and splash incidentally when you didn't. Once when we're at a senate retreat Ted had just spoken. And then Joe Biden got up to make the point in rejoinder Mendez Joe got more forceful in his argument he started the gesture. And he took a step towards Ted. Boom. Sunny and splash were up on their feet barking wildly. Defend and I'll get it to defending Kennedy territory with a vengeance. And ladies and gentlemen for the first time in history we witness state Biden rhetorical retreat. I have to tell -- one of my really favorite moments was -- campaigning with my daughter Vanessa who is here. Campaigning in New Mexico. They were visiting an Indian reservation on the tribal medicine man wanted to bestow blessings. He took a feather any -- head and and and Vanessa stand side by side. And extend their hands and -- their hands. And with a sacred feather he he touched their feet to be touched their -- touched their hands. All the while chatting away. And when he finished. Tenet leaned over to -- whispered. I think we just got married."

" Well you -- a --"

" a couple of months later she got a note from Teddy which. No matter what happens we will always have New Mexico. -- Frame notes and -- senate office. Was a thank you from a colleague for a gift a special edition of profiles in courage. It -- what it said I've brought it home and re read it what an inspiration thank you my friend. For your many courtesies. If the world only knew. It was signed by Trent Lott the Republican leader of the Senate. Indeed. If everyone only -- When George Wallace was wounded -- assassination attempt the first visit -- Ted Kennedy. When Joe Biden underwent brain surgery for an -- terrorism the first aboard the train to Wilmington was Ted Kennedy. When Jesse Helms announced that he had -- to -- heart surgery heart valve surgery Helms told his constituents back in North Carolina. -- But it sure -- listening to Ted Kennedy on the Senate floor. So -- wrote a note -- saying. I'd be happy to send you tapes of my recent senate speeches that will help your speedy recovery. And just two weeks ago when I was in the hospital after hip surgery. Just like -- There was Ted Kennedy on the phone -- now I was doing. With all that he was dealing with. In his life. As we all know Ted -- the dark night of loss. I think that's why his sympathy. Was global. And deeply personal. After my father died of cancer just days before the convention in 2000. There was a knock at the door completely unexpected. And standing there on the front porch was Ted Kennedy dropping by the -- and -- And distant past time -- us. Detroit five years as privileged to work by aside. Learning from the master. And over the years I've received hundreds of handwritten notes from -- some funny. Some touching. The view correcting me. All of them special treasures now. He thanked me for my gift to the Catholic study viable commenting. My mother would be very grateful to you for keeping me in line. He thanked -- for particularly challenging -- lift home after 9/11 when it was hard to. Get anything in the air and he wrote here's a riddle for you. What do you get when you make. Three calls to the FAA to cost the secretary of transportation and recalls -- signature flight support you get a great trip to Boston. His way of saying thank you. And he -- is -- me for the gift to the vintage bottle concluding. I just hope. That I -- as well as this one. The personal touch to -- brought to life extended we know well beyond the Senate colleagues. It reflected the kind of man that he was. And the kind of laws. That he wrote. For 1000 days in the White House as Chris Dodd mention president Kennedy inspired. For eighty days on the presidential campaign trail Robert Kennedy gave us reason to believe -- hope again. For more than 17000. Days as -- United States Senator. Ted Kennedy changed the course of history. As few others have. Without and that there might still be a military draft. The war in Vietnam might have lasted longer there might have been delays and -- the voting rights act -- in passing Medicare or Medicaid. Soviet. Jewish -- next might have been ignored. And who would've been there to help them instead did. Without him we might not have stood up against -- part as forcefully as we did. And the barriers to fair immigration might still be higher today. If every -- only -- Without Ted eighteen year olds might not be able to vote that might not be a Martin Luther King Day. Meals on wheels student loans increases in the minimum wage equal funding for women's college sports health insurance. The family Medical Leave -- Americans with disabilities act workplace safety americorps children's. Health insurance. To everyone only -- He stood against judges who would turn back the clock and constitutional rights. He stood against the war in Iraq his proudest vote. And for nearly four decades and all through his final days. He labored with -- all of his -- to make healthcare -- right for all Americans. And we will do that in his honor."

" In these last months."

" Every. Visit -- made that senate. Solicited and outs. An unstoppable. Outpouring. Of affection. Tears welled up in the eyes Republicans and Democrats. Everyone missed his skills. His booming call to arms and conscience. On his last this. Chris Dodd and I sat in the back row beside his desk and listen to Teddy regale us. Within imitation of his efforts to practice throwing out of all the Red Sox opening game. He laughed and he poked fun at how reluctant his hands of muscles were to -- commands. I was in all of this moment of humility. And self deprecating humor in the face of genuine frustration. And as he so often set over the years. We have to take issue seriously. But never take ourselves too seriously. It was a master of that too. And one of the great lessons that he taught me. In the end. His abiding gift was -- and comparable love of life. And his commitment. To make better the life of the world. In between his time changing the world he found time to capture it. In marvelous paintings. He was a talented gifted artist. And as we know an incurable romantic. Who else would have thought to hide their engagement ring our coral reef in saint Croix as they were swimming and diving so -- could find it. It never occurred to him that the waters might watch the ring away. But one thing's certain. Their loved endured from then until now and it will endure forever. Massachusetts. Has always had its own glorious love affair with the C. Like his Brothers before him salt water was in his veins. Teddy -- by the sea and he lived joyously on it. The evening he passed away I looked out at the ocean where -- it -- gray water. No horizon. The sky almost. Seemed to be in morning. There was not a time for sailing. But the next afternoon as I sat at his home I looked out -- a perfect Nantucket Sound. And I thought to myself with certainty. He's on a -- now. He sailing. Jack Joe Bob import. -- very -- kept playing pat. Trading stories for their parents. And Teddy that they held. The steering his steady course. -- My friend. Sale."