The Massachusetts Democrat, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, was first elected in 1962 and was a consistent champion of workers’ causes, unions said. He was a leading advocate of legislation to raise the minimum wage, guarantee safety and equal rights in the workplace and reform the nation’s immigration laws.
Most recently, he helped lead the fight for universal, affordable health care.
“He was our senator -- a senator for working people, for poor people, for the old and the vulnerable,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “For all those who needed a champion, he was our champion. He personified a sense of aspiration that has become America\'s aspiration – to make things better, to make them more fair, to make our nation more compassionate and hopeful, to make life work for working men and women. He has left an enormous footprint on America.”
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| Kennedy spoke at a recent rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation he sponsored to make it easier for workers to join unions. Photo courtesy of the AFL-CIO |
Communications Workers President Larry Cohen said, “Every major advance, every step forward for working families came about because of his efforts. Medicare and Medicaid, family and medical leave, workers rights, retirement security, equal rights and fair treatment for women, civil rights for people of color, the list goes on and on….We will extend that legacy when we achieve one of Kennedy\'s greatest passions, health care for all.”
United Food & Commercial Workers President Joe Hansen said Kennedy’s “passion, his vision and his devotion to the issues that matter ensured that working men and women had a voice in the halls of Congress.”
Dozens of other labor leaders also praised Kennedy’s leadership and legacy.
Kennedy will be buried near his slain brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., at Arlington National Cemetery.
Mark Gruenberg writes for Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used with permission.
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The Massachusetts Democrat, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, was first elected in 1962 and was a consistent champion of workers’ causes, unions said. He was a leading advocate of legislation to raise the minimum wage, guarantee safety and equal rights in the workplace and reform the nation’s immigration laws.
Most recently, he helped lead the fight for universal, affordable health care.
“He was our senator — a senator for working people, for poor people, for the old and the vulnerable,” said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. “For all those who needed a champion, he was our champion. He personified a sense of aspiration that has become America\’s aspiration – to make things better, to make them more fair, to make our nation more compassionate and hopeful, to make life work for working men and women. He has left an enormous footprint on America.”
|
| Kennedy spoke at a recent rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, legislation he sponsored to make it easier for workers to join unions.
Photo courtesy of the AFL-CIO |
Change To Win Chair Anna Burger called Kennedy “a stalwart – lion of the Senate – giving a voice and hope to all working families. He led the fights that have the biggest impact on providing greater economic security and opportunity for all: From giving workers the right to have a voice at work, to raising the minimum wage and worker safety standards, to creating comprehensive immigration reform….The most fitting tribute to honoring the life and legacy of this great statesman is for Congress to pass quality affordable health care for all this year.”
Communications Workers President Larry Cohen said, “Every major advance, every step forward for working families came about because of his efforts. Medicare and Medicaid, family and medical leave, workers rights, retirement security, equal rights and fair treatment for women, civil rights for people of color, the list goes on and on….We will extend that legacy when we achieve one of Kennedy\’s greatest passions, health care for all.”
United Food & Commercial Workers President Joe Hansen said Kennedy’s “passion, his vision and his devotion to the issues that matter ensured that working men and women had a voice in the halls of Congress.”
Dozens of other labor leaders also praised Kennedy’s leadership and legacy.
Kennedy will be buried near his slain brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., at Arlington National Cemetery.
Mark Gruenberg writes for Press Associates, Inc., news service. Used with permission.