"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

Ted Kennedy knew that the work of government was never done. For so long as there are those who are sick and needy among us, he knew that justice required us all to rise to the challenge of providing healing and comfort, and in so doing to share with one another the joys and privilege of brotherhood.

I can think of no better tribute to Kennedy on the day of his Funeral Celebration of Remembrance than to dedicate ourselves fully in an effort to achieve Ted's dreams and by putting our shoulder more firmly to the work that goes on. 

On universal health care, we hear much fear and remonstration against "socialism." But just what is "socialized medicine" if not the organizing of ourselves into a collective to take care of one another; to make health care a universal right for all by each shouldering some of the cost to make it available to all? Isn't that what government is really supposed to be all about? Are we not charged by our Founders with the responsibility of governance? Of providing for all the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?"

Complain, if you will, about just how corrupt government has become. Make this your argument, if you must, about why it is so incredibly difficult to perform the mission of "governance" wherein the needs of the people are placed ahead of the self-serving demands of the corporations and the wealthy interests. But have the integrity of character - as did Kennedy - to temper these complaints with a willingness to accept your own responsibility in taking back your government rather than waving the flag of surrender.

Ted Kennedy knew the realities of today's politics in Washington, even as he refused to compromise principles to accommodate the moneychangers and corporate interests who now undermine our democracy. A review of Kennedy's legislative legacy show an astonishing list of "socialist" accomplishments where we have been challenged to come together to right wrongs and protect the needy - despite opposition from those who could find no financial profit in it or who otherwise were concerned that such programs would siphon wealth and privilege from those who have it to those who do not.

The genius of Kennedy is found in the way he could accomplish a "work-around" of the corporate interests and achieve social programs that benefitted the disenfranchised. Kennedy knew that we grow stronger as a nation, not by reinforcing and buttressing the powers and authority of the strongest among us, but rather by improving the lot and circumstance of the least advantaged in this society. And he was most effective in defying wealth and power in pursuit of social justice and in the promotion of the disadvantaged into their proper status as fellow citizens.

We bury today a great leader who understood to his core just how wondrous a power it is when we all come together in governance to heal the sick, comfort the poor, seek justice for all, and embrace all peoples as children of God. He modelled for us what peace and justice looks like if we will only accept our sacred responsibility to join together with those who "saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it."

In deference to Senator Kennedy, I will not now surrender this responsibility for social justice by assigning the provision of Universal Health Care to the powerful Insurance Industry lobby and the other monied interests for them to make of it a program that meets their needs at the exclusion of the sick and the needy. Instead, the "Dream Lives On" and I rededicate myself to the fight to encourage all of us to shoulder the task of providing legitimate health care to all as a fundamental right that will strengthen this nation and inspire us all into believing, once again, that we are truly at our greatest when we work together for social justice. 

Godspeed, Senator Kennedy. Your leadership will be deeply missed as we work to realize universal health care as a legitimate right for all in these United States. But rest assured, Dear Senator, that your inspiration remains vibrant in prompting a dedication among Progressives that this human rights advancement, at last, will be included as another accomplishment in your storied legacy.

The Dream Lives On!