Latest Edward Kennedy Quotes from Interviews

Quotes about:

• One question we must consider today is how we can take action to unify our nation, heal racial division, end poverty and give real-life meaning to the constitutional mandate that there be equal protection under law.

  Edward Kennedy

  Giving, Meaning Of Life, Today

  "Second Day of Hearings on the Nomination of Judge Roberts", September 13, 2005.

• I believe that the Constitution is not hostile to the idea that national problems can be solved at the national level through the cooperative efforts of the three coequal branches of government, the Congress, the executive and courts. But not every president, not every legislator and not every judge agrees that the federal government has the power to address and to try to remedy the twin national problems of poverty and access to equal opportunity.

  Edward Kennedy

  Believe, Opportunity, Judging

  "Second Day of Hearings on the Nomination of Judge Roberts". www.nytimes.com. September 13, 2005.

• The stark and tragic images of human suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have reminded us yet again that civil rights and equal rights are still the great unfinished business of America. The suffering has been disproportionately borne by the weak, the poor, the elderly and infirm, and largely African-Americans, who were forced by poverty, illness, unequal opportunity to stay behind and bear the brunt of the storm's winds and floods. I believe that kind of disparate impact is morally wrong in this, the richest country in the world.

  Edward Kennedy

  Country, Believe, Opportunity

  "Second Day of Hearings on the Nomination of Judge Roberts", www.nytimes.com. September 13, 2005.

• My dad said: Now Teddy, you have to make up your mind whether you want to have a constructive and positive attitude and influence on your time. And if you're not interested in a purposeful, useful, constructive life, I just want you to know I have other children that are out there that intend to have a purposeful and constructive life. And so you have to make up your mind about which direction you're going to go. I remember getting - climbing into bed and staring at the ceiling for a good time, but the night hadn't been over when it was very clear to me what kind of life I wanted to lead.

  Edward Kennedy

  Children, Attitude, Dad

  Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

• My father lifted me up in his strong gentle arms and said something I will never forget. He said, "I know you can do it. There is nothing that you can't do. We're going to climb that hill together even if it takes us all day." And at age 12 losing your leg pretty much seems like the end of the world. But as I climbed onto his back and we flew down the hill that day, I knew he was right. I knew I was going to be OK. You see, my father taught me that even our most profound losses are survivable. And it is what we do with that loss - our ability to transform it into a positive event.

  Edward Kennedy

  Strong, Father, Loss

  Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

• My father enabled me to really believe in myself. And yet I've heard very similar stories - from many, many people. It's the way he approached his life. The way he approached his life - he was the eternal optimist. He was the most optimistic person that I've ever known. Even in the face of this diagnosis with cancer, he was filled with optimism about what he could do and what he could accomplish.

  Edward Kennedy

  Father, Cancer, Believe

  Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

• It is a moral issue how we are going to treat workers. On these issues, these are moral issues, principled issues, where there aren't compromises.

  Edward Kennedy

  Issues, Moral, Compromise

  Source: www.politico.com

• Family reunification has been an essential aspect of these policies.Many of those who are brought in, in terms of families, have become actively involved. They open small stores, play a significant role in the economy. The families and the importance of family unity are extremely important.

  Edward Kennedy

  Play, Unity, Important

  Source: www.politico.com

• If confirmed, Judge [Samuel] Alito could serve on the court for generation or more. And the decisions he will make as justice will have a direct impact on the lives and liberties of our children, our grandchildren, and even our great-grandchildren.

  Edward Kennedy

  Children, Impact, Justice

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• When I look at that record in light of the 1985 job application to the [Ronald] Reagan Justice Department, it's even more troubling.That document lays out an ideological agenda that highlights Judge Samuel Alito in belonging to an alumni group at Princeton that opposed the admission of women and proposed to curb the admission of racial minorities.

  Edward Kennedy

  Jobs, Light, Justice

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Judges are appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. And it is our duty to ask questions on great issues that matter to the American people and to speak for them.

  Edward Kennedy

  Issues, Judging, People

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• In an era when America is still too divided by race and by riches, Judge [Samuel] Alito has not written one single opinion on the merits in favor of a person of color alleging race discrimination on the job: in 15 years on the bench, not one.

  Edward Kennedy

  Jobs, Race, Color

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• The Supreme Court must serve as an independent check on abuses by the executive branch and the protector of our liberties, not a cheerleader for an imperial presidency.

  Edward Kennedy

  Independent, Abuse, Liberty

  "Kennedy's Opening Statement", www.nytimes.com. January 9, 2006.

• In an era when too many Americans are losing their jobs or working for less, trying to make ends meet, in close cases Judge [Samuel] Alito has ruled the vast majority of the time against the claims of the individual citizens. He has acted instead in favor of government, large corporations and other powerful interests.

  Edward Kennedy

  Jobs, Powerful, Government

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• As Justice Sandra Day O'Connor stated, even a state of war is not a blank check for a president to do whatever he wants.

  Edward Kennedy

  War, Justice, President

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• In decision after decision on the bench, Judge [Samuel] Alito has excused abusive actions by the authorities that intrude on the personal privacy and freedoms of average Americans.

  Edward Kennedy

  Average, Judging, Decision

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• It is extraordinary that each of the three individuals this president [ George W. Bush] has nominated for the Supreme Court - Chief Justice [John] Roberts, Harriet Miers and now Judge Alito - has served not only as a lawyer for the executive branch, but has defended the most expansive view of presidential authority.

  Edward Kennedy

  Views, Justice, Judging

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Ultimately, the courts will make the final judgment whether the White House has gone too far. Independent and impartial judges must assess the proper balance between protecting our liberties and protecting our national security.

  Edward Kennedy

  Independent, White, Judging

  "Kennedy's Opening Statement", www.nytimes.com. January 9, 2006.

• I had the privilege of chairing Judge Samuel Alito confirmation hearing in 1990. And at that time, he had practiced law for 14 years, but only represented one client, the United States government.

  Edward Kennedy

  Government, Years, Law

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• The core values of our constitution are at the heart of our nation's progress.

  Edward Kennedy

  Heart, Progress, Constitution

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• As we have seen from Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's example, even one justice can profoundly alter the meaning of those words for our citizens. Even one justice can deeply affect the rights and liberties of the American people.

  Edward Kennedy

  Rights, People, Justice

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Even one justice can advance or reverse the progress of our journey.

  Edward Kennedy

  Journey, Justice, Progress

  "Kennedy's Opening Statement", www.nytimes.com. January 9, 2006.

• Justice Lewis Powell spoke for all of us when he said: Equal justice under law is perhaps the most inspiring idea of our society. It is one of the ends for which our entire legal system exists.

  Edward Kennedy

  Law, Ideas, Justice

  Source: www.washingtonpost.com

• Supreme Court nominations are an occasion to pause and reflect on the values that make our nation strong, just and fair. And we must determine whether a nominee has a demonstrated commitment to those basic values.

  Edward Kennedy

  Strong, Commitment, Nominations

  "Kennedy's Opening Statement", www.nytimes.com. January 9, 2006.

• Will a nominee embrace and uphold the essential meaning of the four words inscribed above the entrance of the Supreme Court building: Equal justice under law?

  Edward Kennedy

  Law, Justice, Essentials

  "Kennedy's Opening Statement", www.nytimes.com. January 9, 2006.