UNDATED - The head of the Hall County Democratic Committee calls Ted Kennedy, who died early Wednesday, a man who worked "tirelessly and passionately" for his beliefs, rightfully earning him respect from all over the world. Mike Freeman was one of thousands of political and government leaders from all over the world reacting to Kennedy's death.
Freeman said Kennedy's death means the loss of "one of the great lights of liberalism at its best" and the loss of a "true statesman."
He went on to say that Kennedy has done more to support causes and institute programs and policies that enhance the equality of all people than any other Senator of modern times.
Freeman said the question now is "what part of his tireless and focused energy on behalf of humanity we will pick up. We owe that to his memory and to the world."
OTHER REACTION
In a brief statement to reporters at his rented vacation home on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., President Barack Obama eulogized Kennedy as one of the "most accomplished Americans" in history - and a man whose work in Congress helped give millions new opportunities.
"Including myself," added the nation's first black president.
Kennedy's death also triggered an outpouring of superlatives from Democrats and Republicans as well as foreign leaders.
"If Teddy were here, .. as they say in the Senate, if you would excuse a moment of personal privilege, I personally think it would be inappropriate for me to say too much about the initiative we're announcing today and not speak to my friend," Vice President Joe Biden said during a public appearance. He said he was "truly, truly distressed by his passing."
"Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America and for 36 years I had the privilege of going to work every day ... and being a witness to history," an emotional Biden added. "Every day I was with him ... He restored my sense of idealism and my faith in the possibilities of what this country could do."
Sen. Orrin Hatch, the conservative Republican from Utah who was alternately a political partner and opponent of the unapologetic liberal for three decades, said "Ted Kennedy was an iconic, larger than life United States Senator whose influence cannot be overstated." He listed of nearly a dozen bipartisan bills they worked on jointly, including a federally funded program for victims of HIV/AIDS, health insurance for lower-income children and tax breaks to encourage the development of medicine for rare diseases.
Several hundred miles away, flags few at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol, and Obama ordered the same at the White House and all federal buildings.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada issued a statement that said: "Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the Founding Fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize. The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die."
Former first Lady Nancy Reagan said that her husband and Kennedy "could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another."
"Even facing illness and death he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work. I am proud to have counted him as a friend and proud that the United Kingdom recognized his service earlier this year with the award of an honorary knighthood." - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
In Australia, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says Kennedy ``made an extraordinary contribution to American politics, an extraordinary contribution to America's role in the world.''
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
Saturday
July 5th, 2025
5:02AM
