President\'s eulogy for Sen. Kennedy

[0:56] ..." those of us who loved him. An ache -- passing. -- Ted Kennedy. By the other titles he helped. Husband. Grandfather. Uncle Teddy. Or as he was often known to his younger nieces and nephews."...

[1:36] ..." him as a colleague. A mentor and above all as a front. Ted Kennedy. With the baby of the family -- became its patriarch. The -- dreamer. Who became. It's rock. He was sunny joyful child"...

[3:23] ..." quiet. No one. Would blame him for that. But that was not Ted Kennedy. As he told us. Individual faults and frailties are no excuse to give him. And no exemption from the common obligation. To"...

[4:25] ..." that he championed the Civil Rights Act. The Americans -- disabilities act immigration reform children's health. Insurance of the family Medical Leave Act all have a running threat. That's Kennedy's life work was not served as"...

[5:40] ..." who is a partisan lightning rod that's not the prism. Through which Ted Kennedy -- the world. Nor was -- the prism through which is colleagues sought to a candidate. Whose products of an age when"...

[6:56] ..." how he won the support of the Texas committee chairman on an immigration bill that he. Walked into a meeting with a plain Manila envelope and showed only the chairman that was filled with the Texans"...

[7:49] ..." said. -- Irish. Of course luck had little to do where it Ted Kennedy's legislative success. He knew that. A few years ago -- father in law told him that he and Daniel Webster. Just might"...

[9:17] ..." Who had just arrived in Washington and happened to admire -- when Ted Kennedy welcomed him into his office. And by the way is my second gift -- that in victory after our dog -- And it seems like every one halves one of those stories. The ones that often start with you wouldn't believe who called me today. Ted Kennedy was the father who looks not only after his own three children but Johnson Bob uses one. He took from -- yet"...

[12:07] ..." presence. And lasting impact on the lives. Of others. This is not Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said there's already been mentioned of his brother Bobby Witt. He need not be ideal lives -- large in death because what he was in life. And I imagine. He would say the same bottoms up. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy shoulders because of who he wants. But he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not -- for him"...

[14:09] ..." in the world from the love they gave us. We carry on. Ted Kennedy has gone home now. Guided by his faith and by the light. Of those that he is loved and lost. At last"...

[15:13] ..." walk fast. Coffin draped in white cloth often bearing the remains of Senator Ted Kennedy and even as he hugged Vicki Kennedy the widow. President Obama with his left hand -- but often. Vicki Kennedy. Well for those types of food place. Of them Obama. Floors. If there at the front of the congregation in the front row as his former president Jimmy Carter just behind former President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. "...

[0:01]" Kara. Edward. Patrick. Current. Carolina. Members of the Kennedy family and distinguished guests. And fellow citizens. Today we say goodbye. To the youngest child. Rose. And Joseph Kennedy. The world will long remember their son had worked. As Pierre. Kuwaiti legacy. The champion. For those who had not. The soul of the Democratic Party. In the lie and the United States senate. Man who races nearly 1000 laws. Who penned more than 300 laws himself. But those of us who loved him. An ache -- passing. -- Ted Kennedy. By the other titles he helped. Husband. Grandfather. Uncle Teddy. Or as he was often known to his younger nieces and nephews. The grand from. -- the big cheese. -- So many others. In the city where he worked for nearly half a century. Knew him as a colleague. A mentor and above all as a front. Ted Kennedy. With the baby of the family -- became its patriarch. The -- dreamer. Who became. It's rock. He was sunny joyful child who bore the brunt of his Brothers teasing us. But learn quickly out of Russia at all. When the tossed them off -- boat. Because even noted Jim was six year old -- got back -- and learn to say. When a photographer asked the newly elected -- to step back a press conference because. He was casting a shadow on his younger brother. -- Will be the same in Washington. That spirit of resilience. And good humor. With security through more of pain and tragedy of the most of us will ever know. He lost two siblings by the age of sixteen. The sought to more taken violently. From a country beloved. He said goodbye to his beloved sister Eunice in the final days of his life. He narrowly survived a plane crash. Watched two children struggle with cancer. Very three nephews. And experience personal failings and setbacks. In the most public way possible. The string of events. That would have broken. A lesser man. It would have been easy for Ted. Let himself become better than heart. To surrender to self pity. And regret. Retreat from public life and live out his years and peaceful quiet. No one. Would blame him for that. But that was not Ted Kennedy. As he told us. Individual faults and frailties are no excuse to give him. And no exemption from the common obligation. To give of ourselves. Indeed Ted was the happy warrior but the -- Words were spoke -- when he wrote. This attempted more. More able to endure. As more exposed to suffering and distress. -- also more alive to tenderness. Through his own suffering. That Kennedy became more alive to the plight and suffering. Of others. The sick child and could not see your doctor. The young soldier denied her rights because of what she looks like her who she loves her where she comes from. Landmark laws that he championed the Civil Rights Act. The Americans -- disabilities act immigration reform children's health. Insurance of the family Medical Leave Act all have a running threat. That's Kennedy's life work was not served as champion. The causes of those who have wealth or power. Or special connections. Mr. given voice to those who were not hurt. To add. -- wrong to ladder of opportunity. To make real the dream. Of our founder. Who's given the gift of time that his Brothers and we're not gonna use that gift to touch. As many lives. And write as many wrongs as the years would allow. We can still hear. His voice bellowing through the Senate chamber. Face -- fist pounding the podium. A veritable force of nature. In support of health care workers rights -- civil rights. And yet has been note but while it causes became deeply. Personal. His disagreements never -- While it was seen by his fiercest critics who is a partisan lightning rod that's not the prism. Through which Ted Kennedy -- the world. Nor was -- the prism through which is colleagues sought to a candidate. Whose products of an age when the joy and nobility of politics prevented differences of party. Platform and philosophy from becoming barriers to cooperation and mutual respect. Time when adversaries still -- each -- patriots. -- subjectivity became the greatest legislators are -- He did it by doing the principle yes but also by. Seeking compromise and common cost. Not to deal making and horse trading alone but through friendship. And kindness. And humor. Through the time he courted Orrin hatch. For support. Of the Children's Health Insurance Program by having his chief of staff serenade -- Senator with a song -- had written himself. The time he delivered shamrock cookies on a China plate to sweeten up but rusty Republican colleagues. The famous story of how he won the support of the Texas committee chairman on an immigration bill that he. Walked into a meeting with a plain Manila envelope and showed only the chairman that was filled with the Texans favorite cigar. When the negotiations were going well he would inch the envelope closer to the chairman. When they weren't. He pull it back. Before long the deal was done. There's only a few years ago on Saint Patrick's Day when. Teddy -- hold me on the floor of the Senate for my support of a certain piece of legislation that was coming up for a vote. I gave my pledge but I expressed skepticism that it would pass. When the roll call was over the bill garnered votes it needed to -- some. I -- to -- the with -- Scottish and asked how can be done but it is patted me on the back and said. -- Irish. Of course luck had little to do where it Ted Kennedy's legislative success. He knew that. A few years ago -- father in law told him that he and Daniel Webster. Just might be the two greatest senators of all time. Without missing a beat -- replied. -- But the motives. City's historic body of achievements but we will remember. It is. His giving part. That we woman's. With a friend and colleague who was always the first to pick up the phone. And say I'm sorry for your loss or I hope you feel better or. What can I do to help. Who's the boss so adored by his staff that over 500. Spanning five decades showed up for his 75 birthday party. The man who sent birthday wishes and thank you notes and even his own payments to so many who never imagined that the US senator of such stature would take the time to think about somebody like him. I have one of those paintings in my private study. Off the Oval Office. The cape cop asks the escape it was a gift to a freshman legislator. Who had just arrived in Washington and happened to admire -- when Ted Kennedy welcomed him into his office. And by the way is my second gift -- that in victory after our dog -- And it seems like every one halves one of those stories. The ones that often start with you wouldn't believe who called me today. Ted Kennedy was the father who looks not only after his own three children but Johnson Bob uses one. He took from -- yet talk from the sale. He laughed and -- them birthdays and weddings cried and mourn with them through hardship and tragedy. And passed on that same sense of service. And selflessness. As parents instilled in him. Shortly after Ted walked Caroline. The island gave her away at the altar. He received a note from Jackie. The red. On new with the carefree youngest brother. Phillip Burton a -- Would have -- have been spared. We're all going to make it because you were always there with your life. Not only did the Kennedy family make it because Ted's love he made it because of matters. Especially because -- love. In the life he found convicted. After so much loss so what's our law it could not have been easy for -- to risk is hard get committee did. Is testament to how deeply loved this remarkable woman from Louisiana. And she didn't just want him backed as Ted would often acknowledged that he saved. She gave -- strength and purpose. -- and friendship. And stood by him homeless especially in those last hardest days. We cannot know for certain. How long we have here. We cannot foresee the trials are most misfortunes that will test us along the way. We cannot know. What God's plan is for us. We can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose. And would -- And would -- news each day the show. And those were closest to us how much we care about the and three others -- the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And can strive at all costs to make a better world. But someday. If we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here we know that we spent it well. We made a difference but are fleeting presence. And lasting impact on the lives. Of others. This is not Ted Kennedy lived. This is his legacy. He once said there's already been mentioned of his brother Bobby Witt. He need not be ideal lives -- large in death because what he was in life. And I imagine. He would say the same bottoms up. The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy shoulders because of who he wants. But he surpassed them all because of who he became. We do not -- for him today because the prestige attached to his name. Or his office we weep because we loved this time contender here. Who persevered through pain and tragedy not for the sake of ambition or vanity. Not for world. Their power. But only. For the people and the country that you look. In the days after September 11. Teddy made it a point to personally call each one of the 177. Families. Of this state who lost a loved one in the attack. But he didn't stop there he kept calling. And checking up on you thought the red tape to get them assistance in grief counselor. Invited them sailing played what their children and would write each gramley a letter but whenever the anniversary of that terrible day came along. 21 widow he wrote. The fault. As you know so well. The passage of time. Never really heals. The tragic memory of such a great loss. But we carry on. Because we have to. Because our loved ones would want us to. And because there is. Still light to guide us in the world from the love they gave us. We carry on. Ted Kennedy has gone home now. Guided by his faith and by the light. Of those that he is loved and lost. At last to -- them once more. Leaving those of us who -- passing with the memories Seagate. The good that he did it. The dream he kept alive. And single and during image. Image of a man ought to vote. My main tussle. Smiling broadly as he sails into the win. Ready for whatever storms may come. Carried on toward some new and wondrous place. Just beyond the horizon. May god bless. Dick -- And may he rest in eternal peace. President Obama."

[15:08]" The basilica of our lady of perpetual help in Boston. Let's walk fast. Coffin draped in white cloth often bearing the remains of Senator Ted Kennedy and even as he hugged Vicki Kennedy the widow. President Obama with his left hand -- but often. Vicki Kennedy. Well for those types of food place. Of them Obama. Floors. If there at the front of the congregation in the front row as his former president Jimmy Carter just behind former President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. "