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As Senate Institute Opens, Kennedy's Ability To Find 'Common Ground' Recalled
At the formal dedication for the institute that bears his name, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the late "Liberal Lion" of the U.S. Senate, was remembered Monday for his devotion to causes he cared for and his ability to find "common ground" with Republicans.
"Ted understood that the only point in running for office was to get something done," President Obama said outside the newly opened Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
Obama, along with others, contrasted Kennedy's ability to forge bipartisan compromise with the current gridlocked state of the U.S. Senate.
"What if we worked to follow his example a little bit harder?" Obama asked.
“When you did find common ground, he was the best ally,” Republican Sen. John McCain said in remarks. He added that the Senate would be “a little more productive and a lot more fun” if Kennedy were still there.
Vice President Joe Biden, who worked with Kennedy for decades, said Kennedy "was an anchor to many of us in our personal lives, but he was also an anchor in an institution we revered [the Senate].”
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren recalled a time before she was a politician, when she visited Kennedy to get his buy-in for a bankruptcy reform package. After a 15-minute meeting turned into an hour and a half, he told her she had his vote. Then he agreed to lead on the issue.
Kennedy “changed my life and changed what I understood about public service,” Warren said.
Other speakers included: U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.
The institute opens to the public Tuesday. Read Asma Khalid's feature on the institute's goals and interactive exhibits.
See below for updates from the dedication ceremony.
Update at 12:42 p.m.: Near closing, Obama said:
Obama: "May we all, in our own lives, set an example for the kids who enter these doors & exit with higher expectations for their country."— WBUR (@WBUR) March 30, 2015
Update at 12:29 p.m.: The president is now speaking about Kennedy and the current gridlocked state of the Senate.
POTUS: We are cynical about government, it's difficult to see possibilities to do great things. #EMKInstitute can change that— Asma Khalid (@asmamk) March 30, 2015
"What if we worked to follow his example a little bit harder?" Obama added.
Update at 12:23 p.m.: The president is now remembering Kennedy. "No one made the Senate come alive like Ted Kennedy," he said.
Update at 12:16 p.m.: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have arrived, and walked in with Kennedy's widow, Victoria, who just spoke:
Victoria Reggie Kennedy: Teddy hoped everyone who would come to #EMKInstitute would realize legislating is noble, even if it’s messy— Asma Khalid (@asmamk) March 30, 2015
Update at 11:57 a.m.: More from VP Biden:
.@VP says the country hungers for a system with the ability to compromise seemingly unbridgeable divides and #EMKInstitute could help— Asma Khalid (@asmamk) March 30, 2015
Update at 11:48 a.m.: "He was an anchor to many of us in our personal lives," Vice President Joe Biden said, "but he was also an anchor in an institution we revered [the Senate]."
"I watched him fight tooth and nail for equal justice for all." -VP Biden speaking about Senator Teddy Kennedy pic.twitter.com/5u6k3PFU84— Vice President Biden (@VP) March 30, 2015
Update at 11:35 a.m.: "I miss my friend," Republican Sen. John McCain said. He added that the Senate would be "a little more productive and a lot more fun" if Kennedy were still there.
"When you did find common ground, he was the best ally," McCain said.
Update at 11:25 a.m.: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren recalled a time before she was a politician, when she visited Kennedy to get his buy-in for bankruptcy reform. After a 15-minute meeting turned into an hour and a half, he told her she had his vote. Then he agreed to lead on the issue.
Kennedy "changed my life and changed what I understood about public service," Warren said.
Update at 11:17 a.m.: U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said the institute will be "a place where hope and history will rhyme."
Update at 11:10 a.m.: Gov. Charlie Baker recalled meeting Kennedy to discuss health care. And citing Kennedy's influence, Baker said building relationships, establishing trust and following-through are key to getting things done.
Update at 11:05 a.m.: "Welcome to Kennedy country," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said. Walsh recalled Kennedy's dedication in delivering for Boston. The former union leader added: "American workers never had a better friend."
Update at 10:59 a.m.: "Yes, a Republican from Mississippi... is proud to be here today," former Sen. Trent Lott said to laughs. Lott then said he and Kennedy came together in a bipartisan fashion many times, including an effort to pass immigration reform.
Update at 10:40 a.m.: Jean MacCormack, president of the institute, has opened the dedication ceremony. She cited her Dorchester roots and her pride in seeing the new institute open in the neighborhood.
This article was originally published on March 30, 2015.
