CAPAC honors proud legacy of Sen. Edward Kennedy
Washington, DC – Today (Aug. 27, 2009), CAPAC Executive Board Members issued the following
statements following the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy:
Rep. Mike Honda, CAPAC Chair: “It is with immense sadness that our country mourns the death of
a great leader, Senator Ted Kennedy. A vigilant guardian of civil rights, Senator Kennedy dedicated
his life to social justice and ensuring that our nation lives up to its ideals of equal opportunity for all.
He was a man of great compassion, representing the voices of the most vulnerable among us. He
was an unwavering and skillful leader on issues important to CAPAC and the Asian American and
Pacific Islander community, such as economic opportunity, equality for racial minorities, women,
and the LGBT community, immigration, education, and healthcare for all. My prayers go to the
Kennedy family during this time of hardship. CAPAC, along with our congressional colleagues, will
continue to fight to ensure that his proud legacy will live on.”
Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, CAPAC Secretary: “The passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy is a
great loss to our entire country. He was a powerful voice for civil rights, disability rights, quality
health care for all, and for servicemembers in harm’s way. I remember Senator Kennedy’s visit to
Guam some time ago, and his commitment to fighting hard for those who had little or no voice in
Washington. Senator Kennedy led the Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees in 1975 in trying
to ensure an improved response by the U.S. government to the refugee situation in Vietnam and
Cambodia. His continued commitment to ensuring that the U.S. upheld its moral obligation to
these affected individuals was important and, in part, this role was fulfilled by the people of Guam
in accommodating the refugees after the war. Senator Kennedy will be missed by all.”
Rep. Neil Abercrombie, CAPAC Immigration Task Force Chair: “We have lost one of our nation¹s
greatest progressive leaders in Senator Ted Kennedy, but we have made tremendous gains
through his compassion, courage and vision. Senator Kennedy was a life-long advocate for those
who needed a voice in the halls of Congress, working tirelessly to advance America¹s social and
economic progress and to raise the quality of life for all of us. We have lost him at a critical
crossroads in the national debate on health care--an issue that he cared about deeply. It will be a
fitting tribute that we pass a health care bill to honor his work and legacy.”
Rep. Xavier Becerra, CAPAC Executive Board Member: “If you look at almost any major piece of
legislation that helps children, seniors, immigrants, minorities, the disabled, the disadvantaged,
you will find Senator Kennedy’s mark on it. His lifetime fight for those who could not speak for
themselves inspired me and many in my generation to enter public service and work for change.”
Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, CAPAC Executive Board Member: "Senator Kennedy was a historic
champion for civil rights and equality for all. His extraordinary political skill and unique ability to
work across the aisle is a testament to his effectiveness and a reminder of the power of civil
debate."
Rep. Judy Chu, CAPAC Executive Board Member: “It was with great sadness that I heard of the
passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy, the "Lion of the Senate," this morning. My fellow
Congressmembers and I, and indeed our entire nation, have lost today an irreplaceable and
tenacious leader who always led by example, always stayed true to his principles, and always
fought for what was right and just for all of our citizens. We will especially miss Senator Kennedy's
leadership as we work toward reforming our health care system, an issue that was near to his
heart and one of his biggest legislative priorities. We owe it to Sen. Kennedy's legacy to pass
lasting, meaningful healthcare reform this year, and to ensure that his dream of stable, affordable
and quality health coverage for all Americans becomes a reality.”
Rep. Al Green, CAPAC Housing Task Force Chair: “Kennedy was the quintessential public servant,
putting his country first for 40 years, serving as a U.S. Senator. He epitomized courage, optimism,
and perseverance. Throughout his Senate career, Kennedy championed the rights of the American
people. Even as he battled brain cancer, he remained a passionate voice for comprehensive
healthcare reform. As Congress works to make his dream a reality this session, let us
commemorate his passing by naming the legislation in his honor. This is something a grateful
nation can do.”
Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, CAPAC Executive Board Member: “Senator Ted Kennedy will be remembered
for his dedication to social justice and for showing us how to keep going in spite of terrible
personal tragedies that affected generations of us inspired by the leadership of President John
Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. Carrying on his family’s legacy of service, Senator Kennedy’
s leadership in advocating for the civil rights for all Americans is especially appreciated in Hawaii.
And, we in Congress must work to ensure that his goals in improving education and opportunity for
all as well as ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care are ultimately
realized. I send my deepest condolences to all the members of his family and especially to my
colleague Congressman Patrick Kennedy, who has lost his beloved father.”
Rep. Doris O. Matsui, CAPAC Health Care Task Force Member: “Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing is
heart-breaking news to all of us – to those in public service, and to everyone who believes in the
promise of this country. Senator Kennedy has carried the torch for civil rights, national service,
education for the American people, and challenged us always – that we can do better. The lion in
the Senate, he will always be our champion for quality, affordable health care, proving to us that this
is an economic, and a moral obligation.
“Senator Kennedy has shaped so much of the last 50 years in American political life, and we all
awoke today understanding that our country has lost a wise and visionary leader. I feel a personal
loss, as have many others, who have benefited from his acts of kindness throughout the years. My
thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Kennedy family, his wife, Vicki, and their children, Ted Jr.,
Kara, and my colleague Patrick, as well as to the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, who have
undoubtedly been influenced by this great man we have been so fortunate to have in our lives.”
Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, CAPAC Civil Rights Task Force Chair: “Today our nation has lost one
of its greatest public servants. Throughout his more than four decades in the United States
Senate, Senator Kennedy was a champion for the American people. His legislative legacy
includes the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Early Head Start Program, the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program and raising the federal minimum wage for millions of American workers. His
absence on Capitol Hill will be especially felt as Congress and President Obama work towards
one of his most important life goals – providing affordable access to health care for all Americans.
I offer my condolences to Senator Kennedy’s wife Vicki, my friend and colleague Congressman
Patrick Kennedy and the entire Kennedy family.
Rep. David Wu, CAPAC Education Task Force Chair: "With Senator Kennedy's passing, we lost a
true champion in the fight for quality education, health care and civil rights for all. As a member of
Congress he embodied the ideal to which we all aspire. As we reflect on Senator Kennedy's
passing, I hope others inspired by his legacy take up the mantle of public service in his honor."
###
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of
Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to
promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Since
1994, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life.
For more information on CAPAC, please call (202) 225-2631 or visit http://www.honda.house.
gov/capac.
Washington, DC – Today (Aug. 27, 2009), CAPAC Executive Board Members issued the following
statements following the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy:
Rep. Mike Honda, CAPAC Chair: “It is with immense sadness that our country mourns the death of
a great leader, Senator Ted Kennedy. A vigilant guardian of civil rights, Senator Kennedy dedicated
his life to social justice and ensuring that our nation lives up to its ideals of equal opportunity for all.
He was a man of great compassion, representing the voices of the most vulnerable among us. He
was an unwavering and skillful leader on issues important to CAPAC and the Asian American and
Pacific Islander community, such as economic opportunity, equality for racial minorities, women,
and the LGBT community, immigration, education, and healthcare for all. My prayers go to the
Kennedy family during this time of hardship. CAPAC, along with our congressional colleagues, will
continue to fight to ensure that his proud legacy will live on.”
Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo, CAPAC Secretary: “The passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy is a
great loss to our entire country. He was a powerful voice for civil rights, disability rights, quality
health care for all, and for servicemembers in harm’s way. I remember Senator Kennedy’s visit to
Guam some time ago, and his commitment to fighting hard for those who had little or no voice in
Washington. Senator Kennedy led the Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees in 1975 in trying
to ensure an improved response by the U.S. government to the refugee situation in Vietnam and
Cambodia. His continued commitment to ensuring that the U.S. upheld its moral obligation to
these affected individuals was important and, in part, this role was fulfilled by the people of Guam
in accommodating the refugees after the war. Senator Kennedy will be missed by all.”
Rep. Neil Abercrombie, CAPAC Immigration Task Force Chair: “We have lost one of our nation¹s
greatest progressive leaders in Senator Ted Kennedy, but we have made tremendous gains
through his compassion, courage and vision. Senator Kennedy was a life-long advocate for those
who needed a voice in the halls of Congress, working tirelessly to advance America¹s social and
economic progress and to raise the quality of life for all of us. We have lost him at a critical
crossroads in the national debate on health care--an issue that he cared about deeply. It will be a
fitting tribute that we pass a health care bill to honor his work and legacy.”
Rep. Xavier Becerra, CAPAC Executive Board Member: “If you look at almost any major piece of
legislation that helps children, seniors, immigrants, minorities, the disabled, the disadvantaged,
you will find Senator Kennedy’s mark on it. His lifetime fight for those who could not speak for
themselves inspired me and many in my generation to enter public service and work for change.”
Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, CAPAC Executive Board Member: "Senator Kennedy was a historic
champion for civil rights and equality for all. His extraordinary political skill and unique ability to
work across the aisle is a testament to his effectiveness and a reminder of the power of civil
debate."
Rep. Judy Chu, CAPAC Executive Board Member: “It was with great sadness that I heard of the
passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy, the "Lion of the Senate," this morning. My fellow
Congressmembers and I, and indeed our entire nation, have lost today an irreplaceable and
tenacious leader who always led by example, always stayed true to his principles, and always
fought for what was right and just for all of our citizens. We will especially miss Senator Kennedy's
leadership as we work toward reforming our health care system, an issue that was near to his
heart and one of his biggest legislative priorities. We owe it to Sen. Kennedy's legacy to pass
lasting, meaningful healthcare reform this year, and to ensure that his dream of stable, affordable
and quality health coverage for all Americans becomes a reality.”
Rep. Al Green, CAPAC Housing Task Force Chair: “Kennedy was the quintessential public servant,
putting his country first for 40 years, serving as a U.S. Senator. He epitomized courage, optimism,
and perseverance. Throughout his Senate career, Kennedy championed the rights of the American
people. Even as he battled brain cancer, he remained a passionate voice for comprehensive
healthcare reform. As Congress works to make his dream a reality this session, let us
commemorate his passing by naming the legislation in his honor. This is something a grateful
nation can do.”
Rep. Mazie K. Hirono, CAPAC Executive Board Member: “Senator Ted Kennedy will be remembered
for his dedication to social justice and for showing us how to keep going in spite of terrible
personal tragedies that affected generations of us inspired by the leadership of President John
Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy. Carrying on his family’s legacy of service, Senator Kennedy’
s leadership in advocating for the civil rights for all Americans is especially appreciated in Hawaii.
And, we in Congress must work to ensure that his goals in improving education and opportunity for
all as well as ensure that all Americans have access to affordable health care are ultimately
realized. I send my deepest condolences to all the members of his family and especially to my
colleague Congressman Patrick Kennedy, who has lost his beloved father.”
Rep. Doris O. Matsui, CAPAC Health Care Task Force Member: “Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing is
heart-breaking news to all of us – to those in public service, and to everyone who believes in the
promise of this country. Senator Kennedy has carried the torch for civil rights, national service,
education for the American people, and challenged us always – that we can do better. The lion in
the Senate, he will always be our champion for quality, affordable health care, proving to us that this
is an economic, and a moral obligation.
“Senator Kennedy has shaped so much of the last 50 years in American political life, and we all
awoke today understanding that our country has lost a wise and visionary leader. I feel a personal
loss, as have many others, who have benefited from his acts of kindness throughout the years. My
thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Kennedy family, his wife, Vicki, and their children, Ted Jr.,
Kara, and my colleague Patrick, as well as to the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, who have
undoubtedly been influenced by this great man we have been so fortunate to have in our lives.”
Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, CAPAC Civil Rights Task Force Chair: “Today our nation has lost one
of its greatest public servants. Throughout his more than four decades in the United States
Senate, Senator Kennedy was a champion for the American people. His legislative legacy
includes the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Early Head Start Program, the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program and raising the federal minimum wage for millions of American workers. His
absence on Capitol Hill will be especially felt as Congress and President Obama work towards
one of his most important life goals – providing affordable access to health care for all Americans.
I offer my condolences to Senator Kennedy’s wife Vicki, my friend and colleague Congressman
Patrick Kennedy and the entire Kennedy family.
Rep. David Wu, CAPAC Education Task Force Chair: "With Senator Kennedy's passing, we lost a
true champion in the fight for quality education, health care and civil rights for all. As a member of
Congress he embodied the ideal to which we all aspire. As we reflect on Senator Kennedy's
passing, I hope others inspired by his legacy take up the mantle of public service in his honor."
###
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of
Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and members who have a strong dedication to
promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Since
1994, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life.
For more information on CAPAC, please call (202) 225-2631 or visit http://www.honda.house.
gov/capac.
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus page