Whereas, Edward Moore “Ted" Kennedy passed away on August 25, 2009; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., and Rose Fitzgerald, and the youngest brother of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy graduated from Harvard University in 1956 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1959; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy was recruited by Green Bay Packers Head Coach Lisle Blackbourn, but declined the offer in order to enter a life of public service; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy successfully ran for the United States Senate in 1962; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy served 45 years in the United States Senate, holding such positions as Majority Whip, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy was a skilled negotiator and worked in a bipartisan manner to pass more than 300 bills; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy was a champion of expanding health care coverage, making college more accessible, protecting civil rights, raising the minimum wage, and reforming immigration laws; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy valiantly fought terminal brain cancer for more than a year; and

Whereas, Edward Kennedy earned the respect and accolades of his former colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it