Sen. Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy’s vision and tenacity created unparalleled results for the underprivileged and left a lasting impact on America.
 
Kennedy was awarded posthumously the union’s highest honor, the UAW Social Justice Award, Thursday at the UAW’s 35th Constitutional Convention at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

“He believed, as we do, that health care should be a right, not a privilege,” said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles during his presentation of the award.
 
Kennedy, who died in 2009, was a skilled legislator and authored a long list of precedent-setting bills on issues ranging from national health care and civil rights to education and workers’ rights. He also helped solve human rights conflicts in other countries, including peace efforts in Northern Ireland and the battle to end apartheid in South Africa.

“We’re talking about a man with incredible sensitivity,” said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in a video tribute to Kennedy played at the convention.

The video included part of Kennedy’s speech before thousands of Obama supporters during the 2008 presidential election when he was battling brain cancer that took his life the following year.

“My friends, I ask you to join in this historic challenge,” Kennedy implored the roaring crowd. “It is time now for Barack Obama!”

In the Senate, Kennedy was a key champion for workers, leading battles to increase the minimum wage, improve workplace health and safety, and promote retirement security. He also co-authored the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act.

He was a leading supporter of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and several other civil and human rights initiatives to help those who faced discrimination.

One of Kennedy’s longest battles was for universal health care, which he identified as the cause of his life. He didn’t live to see the signing of the national health care reform bill of 2010, but he was able to see his hard work result in the creation of Medicare, COBRA, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and measures to promote AIDS research and treatment.

Kennedy’s legacy throughout the world is one of compassionate, selfless work for people in need.

Joan Silvi