"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," a family statement said.
Kennedy was a liberal fighter in the old mold. The plethora of legislation he helped pass made life better for children, for the poor, for African-Americans, for immigrants, for workers. He didn't just give lip service to the rights of workers, he stood in their corner.
He fought for access to health care and for quality education. And he opposed the likes of Robert Bork and others who wanted to trash the gains American women, workers and minorities had made over the years.
Blessed with wealth and a freedom from the financial demands that most of us face, they could have given in to selfishness and self-indulgence, or spent their lives devoted to only perpetuating their wealth. Caught in the bubble of fame, they could have devolved into the self-destructive lifestyles we so often see.
Instead they chose to serve their country and, more importantly, work tirelessly as advocates for the average working men and women of America.
That is the Kennedy legacy. That's the legacy we share.
