September 14, 2009

From Charleston (SC) Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

Senator Ted Kennedy was a very personal and engaging person. He easily wore a smile on his face which was quite genuine. His life was spent as a caring and compassionate legislator who was always on the side of the little guy who needed a strong advocate. Kindness and compassion marked by a dedication to the people of this country will be his legacy. With a natural ability to bring consensus to an issue, he will be missed by the generations of Americans he served so well.

On behalf of the city of Boston, our thoughts and prayers go out to Vicki and the entire Kennedy family. Senator Kennedy was steadfast in his devotion to the people of our city, state and country, and he was never afraid of any battle. He was not only a champion in the Senate, fighting for the poor and underserved, but he was also my close friend. I will miss his friendship and his guidance. Senator Kennedy was the real deal – an authentic, principled and giving public servant who pushed us to work for things yet to be. His work eased our concerns, lifted us with opportunity and filled us with pride. Boston has never had a greater champion. Massachusetts has never known a more relentless fighter for economic and social justice. America has never witnessed a more influential and productive legislator.

Our country has lost an extraordinary leader with the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. I, like all residents of our city, am saddened by his passing. I have ordered that all city flags be lowered to half staff in his honor. Senator Kennedy’s life’s work improved the lives of millions of Americans. He fought the good fight with a fierce and resilient spirit for healthcare reform, civil rights, greater employment opportunities, constructive engagement with other nations and for a better future for all Americans. Our world is a better place because of Senator Kennedy’s wisdom, compassion and commitment to public service. My thoughts and prayers and the thoughts and prayers of our entire city are with his family and, in particular, with our Congressman Patrick Kennedy during this difficult time. The best way to honor the life and legacy of Senator Kennedy is by striving each day to follow his inspiring example of public service.

On behalf of all Chicagoans and the Daley family, I offer my condolences to the family of Senator Edward Kennedy. Ted Kennedy’s achievements on behalf of his country and its residents make a long list in the areas of education, civil rights, healthcare and more. He was a master legislator who combined passionate support for what he thought was right with willingness to compromise. In so doing, he compiled one of the most distinguished records in the history of the United States Senate. On a personal level, I have lost a friend of many years. But all Americans can take comfort in the knowledge that the legacy of his compassion, his sense of commitment and his boundless energy will be felt in our country for all time. Our prayers are with the Kennedy family at this sad time.

He was 77 years old. And The United States Conference of Mayors is 77 years old.

Through his life and through the history of our organization, he was a friend and fighter for the needs of cities and our people. So much of the progressive urban and social policy of The Conference of Mayors adopted by the nation's mayors over 40 years was originated and/or championed by Senator Kennedy.

Presidents came and Presidents left us. Each Congress over the years was different. We had our battles with them and we had our victories. During all the political turbulence over the last 40 years, there was one thing certain – Ted Kennedy was there for American cities.

Today, what he said in 1980 is even more important – we must sail against the wind and be bolder about what is truly needed for our nation and our cities, large and small.

May his life of courage and political fierceness in support of all our people remove the timidity of some of our leaders and embolden them to go forward and address what is needed in this century of cities for all our people at this time.

He was a people person. And let us never forget that throughout his life –- he never forgot and never quit fighting for the American people.

And so our cause is alive as we continue in our fight for American cities and our people – remembering him, his brothers President Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy – most grateful for their support of mayors and cities and their close association with our great organization.

Our prayers and deep feelings go out to the Kennedy family. We celebrate Edward Kennedy's life, and the policy of this organization he supported and championed will stand in his memory.