It may seem like Minnesota is a far distance from Washington D.C. or Massachusetts, but the legacy of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy has touched even Borderland.
Joe Boyle, International Falls city attorney and member of the DFL, said that he was honored to meet Kennedy on the streets of Washington D.C. and shake his hand nine years ago while visiting the Capitol with Rep. Irv Anderson and their spouses.
“He was very kind. He was very gracious,” Boyle remembered of Kennedy.
“When I heard the news this morning about Sen. Kennedy’s death, I mentioned to my wife what a valiant warrior he was. He fought for years for so many issues, especially health care. And it’s too bad we need him now to get the truth out.
“It’s remarkable that the last Kennedy son has died. No family has given more to their country in the political arena than the Kennedy family.”
Cynthia Jaksa, Falls city councilor and active DFLer, also said Kennedy will be missed.
“It’s a sad thing for the nation,” said Jaksa. “He was a long-time fighter for economic and social justice. His heart was truly with the people who are left out of the American dream.”
She added that his vote in the Senate will be sorely missed, especially when deciding on the current health care proposal.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Kennedy’s passion for a cause and his country and his love for the Senate made her want to ‘‘go to work every day.’’
Klobuchar issued a statement Wednesday on the death of Kennedy at age 77 after a battle with brain cancer.
The Minnesota Democrat said Kennedy was a mentor and an inspiration to many who were new on Capitol Hill.
Klobuchar said the late senator had a ‘‘fiery zest for the legislative battles that was always tempered by a bipartisan pragmatism.’’
Klobuchar served in the Senate with Kennedy for about two years.
U.S. Sen. Al Franken said Wednesday that Kennedy’s death is ‘‘a major loss’’ as the health care debate unfolds. He says the push for universal health care was the cause of Kennedy’s life.
“Public policy debates on the great issues of our time will be diminished without Ted Kennedy’s resounding voice, penetrating thought, clarion call to human values, and his relentless defense of society’s most vulnerable people,” said U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar in a statement.
“Ted Kennedy’s greatness in life is etched in his monumental legislative achievements and in his inimitable personal touch — the right word, the Irish humor, the rugged grasp of your shoulder in friendship.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
