I am delighted that Senator Kennedy will be honored at the Convention and only wish I could be there to add to the rousing, sustained ovation he will so deservedly receive.

His is one of the most prolific records of legislative achievement in Senate history.  Regardless of one's politics he has to be considered as easily among the 10 greatest senators in US history.  He's done a lot of good for a whole lot of people. 

Much of his career, however, has been spent with our party and our commitment to a more complete and just social democracy on the defensive.  Since the civil rights movement, progressive politics has had relatively few orators who have provided inspiration for "the dream that will never die", of the sort he offered in his <a href="http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/tedkennedy.htm">1980 Convention concession speech</a>. 

And so I say, Senator Kennedy: thank you for the music.  Keep smiling through the pain.  Keep fighting for as long as you are able to.  Wear your burdens lightly.  And know that you have the enduring gratitude of many of us whose cares and dreams you have made your own through the years.