'The Odd Couple'

" This is a tremendous honor -- this wonderful city and this state where our revolution was begun. I'm just so grateful to be here. That he. To have it. Patrick. -- And all the rest the Kennedy family."

" It's a great honor for me to be here with you today. Talk about a man I have so much for good."

" So much reverence for."

" in my gun battle for. 33 years."

" And I've enjoyed every minute up."

" We like to try to inviting Brothers. Be honest -- you."

" And a lot of things I can say about Ted Kennedy's career but what I'd like to do is just take a few minutes. To talk about Ted Kennedy the man. And Ted Kennedy my friend."

" By the time I came to the Senate in 1977. Teddy. Was already a giant among senators. As a Republican coming from you talk. I stated numerous times on the campaign trail that I plan to come to Washington to fight their candidate. -- in fact I used to say that Kennedy's name was my very best fund raiser in the country."

" When I came to -- and I hadn't the slightest idea that I would eventually have a strong. Working relationship work. And love for the man. That I came to fight. And if you would have told me that he would become one of my closest friends in the world. I probably would have suggested that you need professional help. That's exactly what happened. People -- penny and me the odd couple. Which was certainly true that there any amendment through my head and less in common. -- sort of a famous love of their family of Boston. He attended private schools and Harvard University was politically liberal. And liberal in the slightest at least until he married -- The seven straight by the way. I grew up poor and working class family in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I attended public school. And the Harvard of Utah BYU. That's admitted that she get bigger -- and then."

" I was laughing Canada it's."

" Grade school however had. Well Ted often playing the role of vision and you know they have -- irishman. I was -- tee totaling Mormon bishop. And he was so proud one -- to discover that. I'm also Scotch Irish. Yet despite our differences we were able to work -- a lot of things together. And that was due in large part to Kennedy's willingness to recognize somewhere but those who shared his goals. Even if they had different ideas of how to reach those -- One of the defining moments as a senator came when I met two families from Provo Utah. The parents -- these families -- humble and hard working they were prudent they were frugal. And they were they were able to provide food and shelter for their children but the one necessity they couldn't afford. Was health insurance. This is what inspired me to begin my work with Ted and creating the SCHIP program. Which continues to provide health care for and coverage for millions of children throughout the world. Which passed a bipartisan support even though it came at least seemingly inopportune. Time politically speaking. Over the years have not worked successfully to get both Republicans and Democrats on board. -- causes such as assistance to raise this victims. We -- the three days bills and equal rights for the disabled. Our latest collaboration came just this year in the form of the Edward M Kennedy serve America act. And -- love it is designed to empower encourage private citizens of all ages to volunteer in their communities. --"

" It. I don't take any of these bills couldn't -- were not heard Turkey's willingness to put. Partisanship that to put bipartisanship. Ahead of partisanship. In 1960 -- President John F. Kennedy famously said. We must think -- not only for the moment but for our time. I'm reminded of the story of a great French Marshall. Who want to -- has garnered a plant a tree. The -- objected that the tree was slow growing and will not reach maturity for a hundred years. The Marshall replied. In that case. There is no time to lose plan at this afternoon on what. The president's -- was not lost. On its youngest brother. But force -- will driven by the sense of immediacy. That he brought it every endeavor. Ted Kennedy had the ability take actions today. That might not bear fruit until a distant tomorrow. Like all good leaders when he struck out on a mission. He was able to inspire many to follow him until the job was done no matter how long it took -- how hard details flaws. That is not to suggest that working with Ted. And a difficult piece of legislation we -- Of us sometimes it could be utterly for taking. More often. And this is what most of us who worked closely with him or against him -- Ted Kennedy would bring a sense of joy to even the most difficult contentious. Legislative negotiating session. -- by more conservative constituents -- run. Me over the coals. For just being willing to sit in the same room with Teddy Kennedy. The try to truth is that he and I didn't agree on much. We didn't agree on a lot of things. We sat next to each other and -- committed for the better part of two decades. Some may not remember this but there was a time when smoking was allowed during the committee meetings and hearings. And during that time you can always tell when Teddy and I were in an argument. We're we're finding by the amount of cigar smoke but he blew my way has announced looking Mormon."

" If there was a particularly strong disagreement. He would just sit back in his chair puffing smoke my way. Giving me an actual headache to go along with the political headaches you get to all of us on the Republican side. Other times in committee on the floor -- even an oppressed. Teddy would lay intimate with the harshest. Red -- Liberal rhetoric you can imagine. But just minutes later I'd come over put his arm around me and ask -- that I do war and it. I will not tell you every response that I made to him."

" A person in this crisis -- like. -- he just knew how to push people's buttons. It was one of the qualities that made him such an effective senator -- Who were lucky enough to become his friends. It was a source. -- no -- small amount of laughter. It was in the late 1980s."

" When I knew that I finally made it into Kennedy's inner circle. I was working out in the Senate gym one day in December when Teddy came in and -- if I was going to be at his party that night. I'm ashamed to admit that I've been in the Senate for over a decade. And I hadn't heard about the annual Kennedy staff Christmas party. Those who have been to one or more of those parties will agree. A different side of Teddy was often on display. Those profits. -- that first party I attended. Pettitte came out and did a surprisingly. Accurate and hilarious and -- that impersonation. Of Elvis Presley. Tight jumpsuit and all. Don't -- struck but was concerned. -- enjoy this performance -- making fun but Ronald Reagan Dan Quayle and even himself. It's really too bad that -- was never asked to host -- Saturday Night Live. But of course serving in the Senate doesn't really leave you with enough time to do just that sort of thing just ask John McCain. Whenever -- and I -- introduce a bill together and -- would tell reporters. If he and I were on the same bill. It was obvious that one of us had run it. The suns got a huge laugh at that just -- I was usually just let their -- pretending it was the first time I've ever heard of saint. So one time I decided to come prepared right after -- made his remark. I puts out a copy of the building was heavily highlighted instead. He got a kid you could have my copy the important parts are already underline. I think -- got a bigger laugh out of bed and all of the reporters who were there. But complementing -- sensitive it was his personal generosity. -- one occasion after a particularly. Late night in the Senate."

" I have to say that -- was. Feeling no pain at that time. -- this friend Chris my."

" I did what my former AS they didn't. Becoming one day of spring Manson and it just becomes a Mormon Church mission -- president. In Boston Massachusetts. Presiding over 200 young Mormon listeners. So many companies send fragments -- these."

" Could I ask you favor. And I -- you're. He says would -- Would you be willing to come and speak -- 200. Young missionaries up here in Boston."

" It's a book for you Franco well he's you can ask another favorites and sure. It's that we do ask Teddy Kennedy to demonstrate -- the that's. I set -- on said but but I'll ask him he's so look at I -- another favorite that's my gosh what's that. -- US headed to get Daniel hall for the -- it's a comic goodness that's at willow asked him. So on this evening when Teddy and Chris are feeling no pain. I walked off the floor and try to put his arm around me -- that are consider what's it about Diana's car runs good sailing with me yes you wanna do this -- so what do that if that's a great it's only about that is that. I have a favorite asked to do. If you do that so what's it. As a new member fragments in -- administrative assistant he said okay good guys picked up. I said Gloria he's best that you and I come and speak to visit our cities now the -- present in the Mormon Church over 200 young Mormon missionaries and -- messages -- my home. And I -- yeah. -- But that's a vastly different to forgive me already had a I -- the world -- about it I sit well how he would like you need to come up and stick to his 200 young missionaries he -- his job. Just like -- I -- I have another favorite -- for military bases with sadness at what he would like get -- get and you always his dad I miss it. -- The next thing I got into the office and I got this nice letter for Teddy and I got it over to -- at -- later and then easily newsletter has -- shaken -- said. Our nation what else that I agreed to last."

" I tried selling these things my -- start to what I'm gonna start to run -- system outside expected. But in an event. Teddy Kennedy and -- appeared -- 200 young Mormon missionaries and then you'll and they will never forget. The tremendous ultra realistic -- That he gave to them on that day. Well. Well I can say is that it was really something. He didn't try to weasel out of that instead he. Produced -- and -- that beautiful speech. I was impressed. As usual. And those commissioners will never forget. And they -- of -- different -- he commended them for their willingness to serve a cause bigger than themselves. And thank them for their selflessness. This is just one example of the graciousness. My dear friend Ted Kennedy. There was another time when a Mormon -- Nearing completion of its temple here in -- Belmont. I think. I was approached by several people working in the temple and informed that the city. Would not -- Aspire. To be placed on the top of the temple. With an -- on top -- as is customary when Mormon temples. I really content and asked for help. Not long after that conversation coming back and said quote. All of western Massachusetts won't see that it Angel Gabriel on the top of the Mormon temple."

" Well I was attempted to have to leave it alone I have to informed that -- that was actually the -- and I. -- prominent figure in the audience today. And at that point and he replied. Does this mean I'm gonna get another book of Mormon for Christmas. Of course it did."

" Of course that it was always respectful of my faith and that of others but everywhere I don't want everyone around this noon. That I like to give them a hard time. One thing that has been recounted and attributes of the last few days has been to -- his dedication to his family. Where there was -- own children whose mother to us nieces and nephews are to have siblings. I can attest to this. After I spent some time getting to know the Kennedy family. Yet -- started interceding. For me. When Ted and I disagree. I'd love to this day Eunice Kennedy Shriver and second."

" And they just say -- one -- my best friends. And so -- the other driver. Family members what they do for this country and what units did this just beyond belief. Well when ever we weren't getting along really well."

" Teddy and one day she said. I don't want you in this treating that nice young senator -- pop up at. I'm gonna a couple of years younger than eighth. You know it was it was just wonderful to -- stand -- Money and I hadn't really. Tough trouble reaching agreement on really important occasions. And they get no recalcitrant -- bull -- and this Beckett -- and here. That's right to edit I'm gonna go -- I don't know and I don't get."

" You don't do that we'll work it out it's appropriate. -- had a great effect on both of us and we both loved -- very very much. -- could have presented provided him with insight and empathy for others. This is reflected in his views on policy and -- dealings with his friends. When I lost my parents on my dad went to any of us this wonderful mother. I -- here to. Bust and I can -- coming just thought I would sneak into the -- of this beautiful Catholic Church. Just famers that. But they cut me in -- right up close to the family. When when I lost my parents. Ted was there with -- words and sincere sympathy. -- was a -- experience. With facing family tragedy. Having grave more than his share. And yet he became a strong wonderful. He and -- including Utah to attend my mother's funeral I didn't know they were coming it was a gesture. There will always mean a great deal to make. Was and that I'm a Mormon church and I had to get the eulogies really he was right -- the front -- my family and I just -- in the business as much as everybody else. But it was wonderful and I'll never Africa. I'd love Vicki Kennedy as well she's been a tremendously. Wonderful way to my friend Ted. I say how quickly saying I've been present to witness to major changes in Ted Kennedy's life and career. The first was after the election since 1980. Freed from the pressures that come with presidential ambitions. -- returned to the Senate with a singular focus on accomplishing his legislative goals. On building consensus and doing good for the American people. The second chance was there for those that -- I think much more for. It was when he met and married -- Before I met victory -- was often burdened by the stresses that came with his life. Whether it was being -- to one of the most visible families in the country. Are being a prominent legislator. True enough on the surface. It seems that Teddy had. Life for most people could only dream of but I think at times the pressures that came with that what -- that life left him unable to enjoy it. That -- changed. When he met -- it was a love and light of tennis life. Their marriage in many respects -- He was forever a different man. He was still a fierce stubborn leader in the Senate he always was but what's clear from that time on to the -- enjoy this life. And the role he played far more than they have in the past. Teddy and the -- marriage made him a better man and a better senator. Well. I remember one time he got mad -- me. He commanded the coming up as -- brought a minute he started yelling at me inside just that went in and I said yeah I wrote aside for your decade. Did you do. I suggested you wanna -- says oh yeah I forgot forgot all about it -- I -- I just have a little cassette I've played a pharmacist I'd have to I gotta have. Was consoles along the way actually that -- was in ocean's twelve you can't hear that it was an America that I could hear him just there. -- I was is working as usual and I think July 3 that year. In Salt Lake City and I get this phone call from Ted Kennedy he was -- on his boat you know as usual. And he said -- and so I just played that song for victory. He says she's over there crying at the end of the book he said she loved it -- and that's right that's a question working like I have to work and he just left. That -- you -- that his life was far different went from mind. And I left -- because I noticed well. On my way back today. Let me just say that I."

" I thought it. About our relationship and how much I sorely. Missed him. Couple months ago we met for our last -- together pictures taken together that is so much to me. And I have to say it was a wonderful occasion. And I. And I -- Fighting. In public and joking with him in the background. I miss all the things that we knew we could do together. And he can do with others as well."

" On the way back yesterday -- You know I just thought about the -- The shortly before his death wrote -- now ready to be offered. In the time of my departure is at hand. I thought a good fight. I finished my course. I kept things. -- came back I just wanted to write a few thoughts done in my own handwriting and I hope you won't mind if I read -- period. Just before -- finished."

" Some awake. And some -- strong. Some people don't want to get along. -- for a larger than life. Some are born in poverty. Some report and -- this -- like the flashing light. That dissipates in -- Summer like a gift of life. -- never find despair. Some fulfill their destiny. There's losing each day. Summer filled with daily joy. Well -- waste away. Someone like my liberal friends. God be with you -- we meet again. In the end the good things one. He leaves the earth a better place. In the end we all can smiled. He cared. For all the human race. In the end we all look back and see the many things. In the end we all look up. He -- he's carried there on angel's wings. In the end. Those interpose. -- grieving as we stage. In the end. The darling -- No longer -- to seek. I will miss my Irish friend. God be with you. -- we meet again. God bless this there."