(NAME-MCE) THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

[Bill Howe]

August 26th, 2009



*STATEMENT OF THE NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATIONAL FUND *
*ON THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY*



Today, with the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, our nation lost an
extraordinary champion of equal justice.  His leadership on civil rights
issues during nearly five decades of service in the United States Senate is
unprecedented and incomparable.  Beginning his Senate career at the dawn of
the civil rights movement, he was at the helm during passage of all of the
important federal civil rights laws-laws ensuring full participation in the
political process, opportunity in employment, access to public
accommodations, fairness in housing and equal opportunity in education.  In
subsequent years, he worked to strengthen these laws and to pass new laws
protecting victims of injustice.  Without his unyielding voice, the nation
would be a very different place.   Indeed, the historic election of our
current president would not have been possible without these earlier
milestones.

Senator Kennedy possessed a rare combination of qualities that allowed him
to carry the torch on civil rights in the U.S. Senate.  He had an unwavering
commitment to ensuring equal opportunity, the courage to fight the hard
battles, the optimism to lead others, and the perseverance and statesmanship
that ensured victory after victory.  Above all, what we will remember is his
fearlessness.  When doubt or cynicism or the prospect of defeat was injected
into the debate, Senator Kennedy inspired us to continue the struggle for a
fairer and more just society. In addition to inspiring us, it was Senator
Kennedy who often crafted the legislative plan leading to success in that
struggle.  Simply put, Senator Kennedy was always on our side, and, on many
occasions, this made the difference to the cause for justice.

Founded by Thurgood Marshall in 1940, LDF is the nation's oldest civil
rights legal organization.  Throughout our history, only six individuals
have led the organization.  Remarkably, Senator Kennedy's service in the
Senate has coincided with the tenures of five of our six leaders.  Last
year, these past and present leaders of LDF joined in a letter to Senator
Kennedy expressing gratitude for his many contributions to equal justice.
They acknowledged that "[w]hile we have passed the torch to one another, you
have held onto the same light-all the while burning bright-as the preeminent
civil rights champion in Congress....  No one fights as hard as you do or
with more courage and moral conviction that the right thing must be done.
We are eternally indebted to you for opening the doors of opportunity to
millions of people."  (A copy of that letter and Senator Kennedy's gracious
reply will be available on LDF's website)

LDF is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, friend and hero in
the Senate-a voice once thunderous in the cause for justice is now silenced
forever.  At the same time, we are heartened by reflecting on the grand
legacy of his life's work, and the vision and hope he left us for a more
just society.




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*ABOUT LDF*
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) is America's legal
counsel on issues of race. Through advocacy and litigation, LDF focuses on
issues of education, voter protection, economic justice and criminal
justice. We encourage students to embark on careers in the public interest
through scholarships and internship programs. LDF pursues racial justice to
move our nation toward a society that fulfills the promise of equality for
all.



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Bill Howe
Asian Pacific American Coalition of CT http://apaact.com/
Personal Website http://www.billhowe.org
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Multicultural Education Blog http://billhowe.org/MCE/
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