Two Letters

"I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my
faith I have tried to right my path. I want you to know Your Holiness that in my
nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights
of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I have worked to welcome the
immigrant, to fight discrimination, and expand access to health care and
education. I have opposed the death penalty, and fought to end war. Those are
the issues that have motivated me and been the focus of my work as a United
States Senator.

I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I am committed to do
everything I can to achieve access to health care for everyone in my country.
This has been the political cause of my life. I believe in a conscience
protection for Catholics in the health field, and I'll continue to advocate for
it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national
health policy that guarantees health care for everyone."

Excerpt, Letter of Senator Edward Kennedy to Pope Benedict XVI, which President Obama delivered to the Pontiff in July, 2009.

* * *

"While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits
consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization
of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized -- the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old. [...]

I share in the confidence of those who feel that America is willing to care for
its unwanted as well as wanted children, protecting particularly those who
cannot protect themselves. I also share the opinions of those who do not accept
abortion as a response to our society's problems -- an inadequate welfare system, unsatisfactory job training programs, and insufficient financial support for all its citizens.

When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very
moment of conception."

Excerpt, Letter of Senator Edward Kennedy to Thomas E. Denelly, August 1971.