mr. kennedy and mr. conniers for remaining. this has been a hearing of the domestic policies subcommittee of the oversight and government reform committee. we have gone over three hours now and the witnesses have been much appreciated in your presence there. the title of today's hearing, between you and your doctor, the private health insurance beaurocracy. i feel as mr. kennedy implied, we barely scratched the surface here. i hope the witnesses understand and hope you feel that this committee treated you fairly. there's no browbeating here or trick questions, no attempt to try to force you to give an answer over something that you are not ready to do at this moment. that's the way we are going to continue to proceed. we are fact finding investigative and going to try to get information from the industry so we can understand your business model better. while i try to conduct the hearings in an impartial way, away from the hearings, i'm a strong advocate with the bill i wrote with john conniers. i don't let it interfere with the

mr. kennedy and mr. conniers for remaining.is has been a hearing of the domestic policies subcommittee of the oversight and government reform committee. we have gone over three hours now and the witnesses have been much appreciated in your presence there. the title of today's hearing, between you and your doctor, the private health insurance beaurocracy. i feel as mr. kennedy implied, we barely scratched the surface here. i hope the witnesses understand and hope you feel that this committee treated you fairly. there's no browbeating here or trick questions, no attempt to try to force you to give an answer over something that you are not ready to do at this moment. that's the way we are going to continue to proceed. we are fact finding investigative and going to try to get information from the industry so we can understand your business model better. while i try to conduct the hearings in an impartial way, away from the hearings, i'm a strong advocate with the bill i wrote with john conniers. i don't let it interfere with the co

mr. kennedy and mr. conniers for remaining.is has been a hearing of the domestic policies subcommittee of the oversight and government reform committee. we have gone over three hours now and the witnesses have been much appreciated in your presence there. the title of today's hearing, between you and your doctor, the private health insurance beaurocracy. i feel as mr. kennedy implied, we barely scratched the surface here. i hope the witnesses understand and hope you feel that this committee treated you fairly. there's no browbeating here or trick questions, no attempt to try to force you to give an answer over something that you are not ready to do at this moment. that's the way we are going to continue to proceed. we are fact finding investigative and going to try to get information from the industry so we can understand your business model better. while i try to conduct the hearings in an impartial way, away from the hearings, i'm a strong advocate with the bill i wrote with john conniers. i don't let it interfere with the co

mrs. kennedy and two staff members about this. hey feel strongly about it because it was senator kennedy's wish that they will get involved as much as they can and as much as is helpful. you're talking about the individual a point? no, i have not spoken with mrs. kennedy or the family about an individual for the position. mrs. kennedy is not interested in the position. >> what would you consider running for the senate? >> know i have a job. -- no, i have a job. i will not seek the position. thank you very much. i am running for reelection as governor. >> did mrs. kennedy tell you directly she is not interested? >> yes. that is all we talked about. >> were you contacted by the governor for any people that were interested? >> know. did you have a question? go ahead. [g>> [inaudible] >> no, he did not. he was concerned. he was very concerned about the timeliness of our action and an up or down vote as soon as possible. he prefers an up votes. >> [inaudible] >> i contacted by people seeking all kinds of things. all of the above and the

mr. kennedy or mr.mozer, i understand that the contractor, wackenhut, is losing money on the contract, is that right? they say they're losing money. >> they have submitted no documentation for the state department for equitable adjustment. >> but -- my only question is, though, it's a public record. in the june hearing they say they're losing money, right? >> mr. henky, it is true that in the public record they did. they've been in to talk to me about it. i told them what -- i toll them what the contracting officers had. we are awaiting your formal documentation. >> okay. and if they submit what is known as a request for equitable adjustment. an rea which is really their way of saying i'm up against the wall. i'm losing money, and i need some help. what that means is they're asking you, the state to pay them more. are you going to entertain from wackenhut agna here a request for more money on this contract? >> what we would do in most instances when this happens in other contracts and it does, the usual

mr. kennedy: thank you. and i appreciate the gentlelady and the gentleman from tennessee yielding me this time. and i won't go on any further than i've already explained except to say obviously there are good green jobs. we talk about good green jobs in this bill. this is about good green jobs. these vehicles are already being sold to police departments and public safety -- as public safety vehicles all across america. these vetrix vehicles that are made in my state are electrical vehicles that have enormous, you know, capacity in the metropolitan areas. and, frankly, they are obviously great for the environment but they are also fuel efficient and they provide a great alternative to vehicles that we have since relied on that create such pollution in our air. . if we provide the loans then we can keep these manufacturing jobs here at home. and roughly 16,000 jobs are anticipated within conservatively within the next five years as a result of just loans that can be made through the department of energy as a r

mr. kennedy: thank you. i just will conclude now because i know my friends and colleagues have their time to speak, but i don't want to say anything other than to each and every one of the folks that spoke tonight, thank you for your being here tonight to pay tribute to my father. to folks on both sides of the aisle that have been so generous to me, it's a great thing being part of this house. to have colleagues treat you as one of their own. as a part of a collegial family of sorts. in a professional way but also a personal way. the thing he loved so much about serving over in the senate was the great friendships he developed there. i can tell you having been through what i have been through the last couple weeks i can appreciate personally what a difference it's made to have the friends that i have had in this chamber be so supportive of me through this time. and i want to thank all of my colleagues for their outpouring of support and affection from both sides of the aisle. it's times like these where you

mr. kennedy that basically this conduct was in camp or that was your camp. that your answer to the question? >> that is the first half of the question, mr. chairman. we were not at camp. we should have been at camp. we are now at the camp. secondly, in the course, that's 24 hours and seven day in residence of the camp at off hours. during the course, though, to the best of our knowledge at this point in the investigation, we have not determined that any information was given by anyone to the state department about these things and -- >> i have your answer. >> if i could say we spend a great deal of time interacting with the guards at the u.s. embassy and because of those interactions we do not believe at this point that any information was passed. >> why did they delay reporting news of misconduct in an attempt to intimidate people who might report it? >> i have no idea other than just to say that is totally inappropriate. >> they gave you no reason, no justification for why it took them two weeks in the last circumstance? >> they did not, sir. >> did you ask

mrs. kennedy, your mother, said, when he was in ireland he mentioned the kennedys a lot but he didn't mention the sherrills a lot. when i see john i'm going to bring that up to him. you said you had a story about that. >> when he came back to boston, he had one of the press ask him that question, why he didn't mention fitzgeralds. he said when he first campaigned for congress with grandpa fitzgerald, he ran in that district, grandpa had been elected to congress in 1896 with three terms and came back and was mayor of boston. when he campaigned with my brother, right after the war, my brother came back from the pacific, he said we traveled around the district, grandpa would be in a certain part of the district which would be settled by people from cork and he'd pretend he was from cork. then they'd go to a different part of the district and he said he was from sligo. he'd go to a different place and said he was from there. my brother said, i never knew where grandpa was from. my mother heard that story. she didn't accept it completely but it was a good story. >> larry: ted kennedy. father, uncl

mrs. kennedy and two staff members about this. i think they feel strongly about it because it was senator kennedy's wish. and i think they will get involved as much as they can and as much as is helpful. >> [unintelligible] >> say it again? >> [unintelligible] >> are you talking about the individual plan meant and not the law? >> [unintelligible] >> i am sorry. i have not spoken with mrs. kennedy or the staff about the individual apartment. mrs. kennedy is not interested in the position. >> would you run it -- would you consider running for the senate? >> myself? no, i have a job. i have my hands full with this. i will not seek the position, that you very much. i am running for reelection as governor, just to be clear. >> [unintelligible] >> yes. >> [unintelligible] >> that is all we talked about. >> [unintelligible] >> yes. >> [unintelligible] >> no. [laughter] >> did you have a question? did you have a question? did you have a question? [unintelligible] ] >>> no. he is very concerned. genet was -- it does as well. he is very conc

mrs. kennedy, after the speech with senator kennedy's three childrechildren -- it was just impossible to put fully in words how much i'll miss him. as marcel and i missur friend dearly, we know ther that it waa privileged to call him our friend. it was a privilege to serve alongside such aublic servant, dedicated as he was to making better the lives of millions of his felow americans. it is a sad passing of an era. ted kennedy also would tell us, it is a time to look into the future. madam president, i close with this: i always thought when i left the senate i had sea say farewell to this body and ted kennedy would be he. -- to wish me godspeed. i wish him godspeed. hatch madam president, i want to thank all of our colleagues who have taken time to km here to the floor to speak for and on behalf of our great friend and colleague, senator ted kennedy. i particularly enjoyed these remarks by the distinguished senator from vermont, who has served with him for many years. i only served 33 years with ted. i just want to thank them for theiremarks and for the reverence that most everybody has had

mr. kennedy and the right wing organization sets forth their charge that kennedy is really a communist tollthis is a full-page ad in the city on the day he's murdered. there's a climate, as nancy pelosi said, people who weren't balanced, oswalds of the world, were able to act out violently. and you were writing in san francisco. i lived there. i was going to school there. there's no question that people like dan white, and the people who killed the mayor and went on to kill the supervisor harvey milk, pushed this type of feeling that you could get away with anything because you could denigrate a public fish by preparing them as you were obama to hitler and socialism and fascism. >> let me go to mark here. what is it in the atmosphere that allows a person feeling comfortable showing up to a political event carrying a gun, in some cases two guns, and letting people know they're armed? what is it in the atmosphere that a sign that compares the president of the united states to an animal or nazi? what is it that makes a person feel comfortable doing that kind of crap in public? i wonder if it i

mrs. kennedy sat next to the first lady and the senator's children were there as well. the president spoke about sen e senatsenat senator kennedy's lifelong efforts for reform and the final letter he wrote to the president to be delivered on his desk. >> what we face is above all a moral issue. at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country. >> senator tom harkin is succeeding ted kennedy as chairman of the senate health committee, joining us now. senator harkin, i know this has been a very tough time for all of you who worked so closely with ted kennedy. you now have very big shoes to fill and a mandate from the president to perform on health care. are you on board with all of what he said last night? >> well, andrea, you're right, it is a daunting challenge that i now have, but it is a great honor and a privilege to now chair the health committee, otherwise known as senator kennedy's committee. but we're determined we're goes going to get health care reform through and get it through this fall.

mr. president. i know that we will all rememr for future generations what senator kennedy has done. and i note the absence of quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: quum call: the presiding officer: the senator from rhode island. mr whitehouse: i ask that the quorum call be suspended. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. whitehouse: mr. president, i ask unanimou consent tha the judiciary committee be discharged from further consideration of senate resolution 245 and the senate proceed to its immediate consideration. the presiding office the clerk will report. the clerk: senate resolutio 245 recognizing september 11 as a national day of service and rembrance. the presiding officer: without objection, the committee is discharged and the senate will proceed with the measure. mr. whitehouse: i ask unanimous consent that an amendment to theesolution which is at the desk be agreed to, the resolution as amended be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, that an amendment to the title which is at t desk be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid

mr. kennedy got cancer. and i am so sorry that he is dead. but i don't and have never approved of mr. kennedy. i think he is a bad man. he kept the poor people down in boston, keeps the very poor people down and other parts of the country. heat is always wanting to give something to somebody and they never have to work for it. guest: senator kennedy writes on his book on page 29 that for him, the motivating force in his life was the great gospel of matthew, that we showed care for the least of these among us, feed a the hungry and clothe the like -- naked and heal the sick. this was his motivated force for entering public life. i think it is the significant the only passage in scripture that shows a path to salvation is this idea of helping others. that was what he'd learned from his parents, especially from his mother rose, and that was part of his true compass. i am sorry you feel that way about him but i saw this man in person and i can't tell you he was an empathitic and committed public servant. host: he worked toward health care reform for much of his career. he wrote this about

kennedy. a wonderful man and just sorely missed. i might say, mr. president, i don't think there's going to be another man or woman in the senate again who is such a giant ased kennedy. he was a great guy i yield the floor. mr. enzi: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from wyoming is recognized. mr. enzi: mr. president, i appreciate having this opportunity to join in the celebration of the life of ted kennedy. his loss was deeply personal to all of us because he was strong and a vital presence, not only in the day-to-day work of the senate but in our day-to-day lives as well. he was interested and concerned not only about his cleagues but about our staffs and all those with whom he worked on a long list of issues that will continue to have an impact on our nation for many generations to come. that was just the kind of individual ted was, activend completely involved in all things that had to do with the work of the senate. for my par i've lost a senate colleague who was willing to work with me and with senator on both sides of the aisl

mr. president, i don't think there is going to be another man or woman in the senate again who was such a giant as ted kennedye is that great a guy. yield the floor. >> mr. president? >> the senator from wyoming is recognized. >> mr. president, i appreciate having this opportunity to join in this celebration of the life of ted kennedy. his loss was deeply personal to all of us because he was strong and a vital presence not only senate, but in our day-to-day lives as well. he was interested and concerned not only about his colleagues, but about our staff and all those with whom he worked on a long list of issues that will continue to have an impact on our nation for many generations to come. that was the kind of individual ted was, active and completely involved in all things that had to do with the work of the senate. for my part, i lost a senate colleague who was willing to work with me, and with senators on both sides of the aisle. he was my committee chairman and my good friend. for those across the country who mourn this passing, they have lost a trusted and treasured voice in the senate, a champion who f

mrs. kennedy is not interested in the position. >> reporter: someone close to vickie was shermanesque with me. she said, even if asked by the governor to do this she won't even reluctantly accept. if this law gets changed, that's still a big if, there will be pressure because there are some democrats on capitol hill who believe she would bring the best continuity to what democrats need in the fall when it comes to health care. for now, though, the only kennedy that appears to be interested is joe, robert kennedy's oldest son. >> chuck todd, thank you very much. >>> it is 7:18. once again, here's carl. >> thanks. >>> to what could be major problem for the criminal case into michael jackson's death. jeff rosin is in los angeles this morning. good morning to you. >> hi, carl. good morning to you. law enforcement sources now tell nbc news prosecutors are worried about what they call sloppy police work. key evidence may have been tainted, key interviews may have been skipped. the da's office is deeply concerned a botched investigation could severely damage their case. >> reporter: just two days

mr. kennedy. the chair: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. kennedy: as we know from legislation that this committee worked on many years ago called the foundations for learning program as part of the elementary and secondary education act, social development is as important as anything in a child's life. we recognize these same important facts and in this legislation, we reflect these findings by acknowledging that importance intervening in a child's life who has had domestic violence exposure, homelessness, mental illness that the intervention in these children's lives make an enormous difference in their lives and educational abilities. for these reasons, i think it's important piece of legislation that needs to be adopted. and i appreciate the chairman for acknowledging these facts and incorporating the legislation into the body of his bill. and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman's time has expired. the gentleman from minnesota. mr. kline: i reserve. the chair: the gentleman from california. mr. miller: i recognize ms. woolsey. ms. wool

kennedy. thank you, madam president. senar ky thank you for giving me the time. mr. kyl: madam preside? say to my colleague from ohio, i commentedn the same point. it's pretty obvious, but senator kennedy culd have, because of who he was, done justbout anything. he certainly wouldn't have had to work as hd as did. but i have never known a harder-working senator than senantntntntntnt. it is with a heavy heart that i take the floor of the united states senate today. for each of the pact 46 years this chamb has running with the words of a man who came to be known as theion of the senate. but today that familiar voice has fallen silent. for the first time in a half-century, the senate returns to the work without edward. kennedy. with his passing, our count has lost a true giant, a mpassionate public servant who became a legend in his own time. a man whose legacy is bound up in the historyf the united states senate, whose life and works have touched everyonen americince the day he entered public service almt 50 years ago. over the course of his career, hen ford more -- he enforced more legis

mr. kennedy's memoir. that is tomorrow morning on "washington journal," starting at 9:15 a.m. eastern time. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, proceedings will resume on motions to suspend the rules previously postponed. votes will be taken ined to thing -- following order. house resolution 6 by the yeas and nays, house resolution 459 the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 387, the nays are zero. 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the concurrent resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. the house will be in order. the chair will entertain requests for one-minute speeches. for what purpose does the gentleman from illinois rise? >> ask permission to address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the house will be in order. members will take their discussions off the floor. . the house will be in order. the gentleman from illinois will proceed. mr. quigley: thank you, mr. speaker. i rise tod

mr. kirk served on kennedy's staff for eight years. >>> what she did to one student that landed her in hot water. a major changes for some of the nation's largest financial institutions. how could save you hundreds in overdraft fees. and the doctor from falls road animal hospital is here to answer questions. i can smile, i can carry on our conversation i do most of the talking yes i wear dentures and they fit wonderful super poligrip acts as a seal between my dentures and my gums super poligrip makes eating more comfortable even well fitting dentures can feel more comfortable with super poligrip just a few dabs of super poligrip create a seal between your dentures and gums to make them more comfortable while you eat. i can eat my steak, i just love it. (charlie dullea) try super poligrip. this fiber? i'd had my fill. then i found miralax. announcer: miralax is the only brand clinically proven to relieve constipation with no harsh side effects. you'll see. it's clearly different. restore your body's natural rhythm with miralax. >> 3 people are dead after a multi-car accident involving a mil

mrs. kennedy, after the speech with senator kennedy's three children.it was impossible to put it in words how much i missim. we miss our friend yearly. but we know that it is a privilege to call him our friend it was a privilege toerve alongside such a public servant. dedicated as he was to making better the lives of millions of his fellow americans. it is the sad passing of an era. ted kennedy will also tell us it is the time look to the future. madam president close with this. i always thought when i left the senate i wou say farl to is body and ted kennedy would be here to wish me god speed. i wish him godspeed. >> madame president, i want to thank all of our colleagues who have taken time to come to the floor to speak on behalof our great friend and colleague, senator ted kennedy. i enjoyed the remarks by the distinguished senator from vermont who had served with him for 34 years. i only served 33 years with ted, and i just want to thank him for the remarks and for their reference sials everybody has had four hour departed colleagues. i rise today t

mr. kennedy is in place in time for a vote. the next call comes on the line for democrats. caller: good morning, i was listening to people ask how they will pay for this health-care. so many times i have seen that people have been asked to cut their pay, people making $30,000 per year. they have their rates cut. why can't congress cut some of their pay? they make $150,000 per year. why can't they give some of their salary to pay for things we need? this congressman that called the president a liar on national television -- he should be put out of the congress, not allowed to sit there anymore. that is disgraceful. we have a wonderful president and should support him. they should give his healthcare plan a try. host: this is bill from indiana, pa.. caller: yes, i like to see both parties who have had years and years to do something with healthcare -- now they have this big debate. both want to make money. we ought to just get rid of all this and start over again. people who have been in there for 30 years. but they have all the ideas. they do not fit. any time the government

april, the president declared 9/11 a day of service and severance, pushed by a bill by senator ted kennedy. mr. obama recalled how we came together the day of the attack and the days that followed. >> united in our grief and in our resolve to stand with one another, to stand up for the country we all love. >> in a written statement, former president bush said, "we honor those who volunteer to keep us safe and extend the reach of freedom," but he made no mention of service. some conservatives support the public service, and others say it will turn it into a day of liberal activism. that follows concerns about national security policies with president obama. >> i have serious doubts about his policies, serious doubts about the extent to which he understands and is prepared to do what needs to be done to defend the nation. >> the decision to close guantanomo bay has drawn as much fire as anything else. critics say it is hasty since it is unclear where the inmates will go. the white house says it's still on track to close gitmo by january but rethinking using military commissions to try the terror

the united states of senators edward moore kennedy, robert francis kennedy and john fitzgerald kennedy. mr. dodd: madam president, i want to if i may just -- the presiding officer: is there objection to proceeding to the measure? without objection, the senate will proceed. mr. dodd: madam president, i just want to take a second and thank, first of all, the majority leader, senator reid, for his support in this effort. i want to recognize as well our colleague from massachusetts, senator kerry, who is my lead responser in this particular effort and obviously a very close and dear personal friend for many, many years of ted kennedy. and to thank our colleagues. we're joined by the presence of our colleague from the other body, senator ted kennedy's son patrick, who serves with great distinction in the other body. and i'm pleased he's with us here at this moment to watch this resolution be adopted. so with that, madam president, i ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, that any statements rel

kennedy, along with mrs. biden and others is a special guest of the first lady in her box. we roundly expect of course the president to mention the man so often called "the lion of the senate" a championf health care reform, who didn't live long enough to see that legislative goal accomplished. senator edward m. kenny. a standing ovation for the first lady of the united states. as she waves to friends in the gallery. our own kelly o'donnell will be in the gallery until the president starts speaking and then she will have to take another position. and kelly, so much of tonight, in a divided senate, where the democrats have 60 votes is about this, this question of whether or not as we see the president's cabinet introduced and enter the chamber. question of whether or not the president can pick up any names with an "r" after it for republicans? >> brian, there is great focus on a few key members of the republican party who have put themselves on the line trying to negotiate some sort of compromise. they have become important names in this debate. chief among them, olympia sno

mrs. obama is standing beside vicki kennedy. of course the widow of senator ted kennedy whose presence is so sorely missed during this health care debate. go ahead, chip, i'm sorry. >> it certainly is. she's also with a group of people the president has met all across the country who have their own health care stories, some horror stories, and we'll be hearing about some of those tonight. but the other two real sticking points here are, number one, how much is this thing going to cost. some democrats wanted a trillion dollars, conservative democrats say it can't be more than $800 billion. which is not chump change, even in washington. finally, whatever number you pick, how are you going to pay for it? how much is going to be tax increases? how much of it is going to come out of medicare. a lot of big decisions still to be made, katie. >> couric: as we see, secretary of state hillary clinton is coming in followed by timothy geithner and secretary of defense bob gates follows close behind. nancy cordes is on capitol hill tonight.

mr. president, i want to quote from our colleague, ted kennedy. and i quote from april of 2006.nd this is what he said: "the defining aspect of our country is opportunity, the hope that you c do better, that your children can do better. but you need an even playing field. to do that, you can't be sick and in school. you've got to he health care. you've got to have an economy working to give people a chance to get ahead. it is not guaranteed, but you do have to have an opportunity. our country is big enough and strong enough and wealthy enough to give that kind of opportunity to everybody. that's what i work on every day." end of quote. what an example for all of us. now, mr. president, there's something else i want to say abt our colleague, because much has been made of his flaws. but who among us do not have flaws? maybe senator kennedy realized so much his flaws that he decided that despite those, he was going to do the best that he could do for his fellow humankind. and so he dedicated his life to the poor, the sick, the young and the old, the disabled. he foughtgainst discri

mr. h. potter. >>> and the late senator kennedy revealed early including the story of the day.eeting with president reagan about exporting shoes and textiles, turned into a half hour of reagan's days as a shoe salesman. ing and selling something else entirely, glenn beck is bat crap crazy. both cost the same, but only the pringles superstack can makes everything pop! ♪ hey [ male announcer ] same cost but a lot more fun. ♪ everything pops with the pringles superstack can! he's a hall of fame quarterback who scored a 22-pound weight loss thanks to nutrisystem. he's a legendary linebacker who's tackled his own weight problem by dropping 35 pounds with nutrisystem. so, who's the winner... at losing weight? listen here, twinkle toes, you're going to need some new dance moves, buddy, if you're going to take on dan marino. dan marino? what did he play, kickball? i'm feeling lean, i'm mean, and i still look good. order now and you can get an extra three weeks of meals free. 22 pounds. 35 pounds. show-off. loser. nutrisystem is so easy, anybody can lose weight. i'm curt menefee, and i

mr. conyers, and ladies and gentlemen of the kennedy it is a privilege -- >> would you pull the microphonecloser? pull the microphone a little closer, please. it's not on. you have to press something. >> i still have five minutes? >> we are resetting the ploch. >> it is a privilege to be here and i am delighted to be invited and i am delighted to see my friend the chairman of the committee the gentleman from michigan, mr. conyers, and on and on our to represent the security and liberty and security committee of the constitution project today. you have my previously prepared statement and attached is the liberty and security committee statement on reforming the peach react. one word about the makeup of our committee, it is a truly bipartisan. bipartisan in nature we address issues not as republicans or democrats but we need more of that i think in this country and here in washington. our membership is broadbased and includes a number of former u.s. attorneys, some distinguished judges, former judges, professors of law, deans of law school, even a publisher, mr. conyers, who is a publisher o

kennedy's life was not a life of promise cut short, but a life of promises kept. he loved america and his life's work made us an even better and more just nation. mr. president, if ted kennedy were here today, i feel absolutely certain tt he would be on the floor at this moment talking about health care. it really was the hallmark of his public career from the beginning he understood that this was o of the most fundamental things when it came to justice and fairness in america. the fact that 47 million americans have no health insurance is at least embarrassing, if not shameful, in this great and prosperous nation. who are these people? these 47 million? are are theyazy or just lucky? well, they're not the poorest in america because we provide for the poorest. we have medicaid, which provides basic health care for those who are out of work and those who have no source of income or no savings. and they're not the fortunate few or the fortunate majority because they don't enjoy health insurance like most of us where they work. they're people who get up and go to work every single day without the assurance that they're going to have protection if they

mr. president. i was still a student. d kennedyshared the dream that his brother had and he never stopped working to realize it. d kennedy legacy stance with the eatest and most pager men and women to serve in these calls. because of ted kennedy more yog children could afford to become healthy. because of ted kennedy more than adults could afford to beco college students. warfare all the citizens iour poorest citizens could get the care ty need to liv longer lives. because of ted kennedy, minorities women and immigrants could realize the rights of our founding documents, the rights our fnding documents promise them andecause of ted kennedy more americans could be proud of their country. ted kennedy came from a family of great wealth and stus. he did not need to work hard for himself, so we chose a life working hard for others. he w admitted to the massachusetts law in 19. the application asked him to state his main ambition. ted kennedy answered and i quote, public service of the stat to quote one of his favorite poems, robert fros

kennedy. the presiding officer: so ordered. mr. reid: mr. president? the presiding officer: the majority leader. mr. reid: thank you very much. mr. president, i have to acknowledge that as i came into the chamber this afternoon, and came upon senator kennedy's desk, which is covered with the traditional black velvet covering with the vase of flowers and his favorite poem on the desk, one of robert frost's poems, a tear or two came toy eye. mr. president, i cherished the ti i had to -- i get to spend with the people in nevada whe i get to go home, listening to them, talking to them and learning from them. the people of nevada feel as acutely as anyone in america about the volatility our turbulent economy. the nevadans see as clearly as anyone in america that we're going forward. in fact, we're getting back on our feet after long years of negl they watched us as wall street went wild, foreclosures reached record highs and jobs vanished into thin air. thanks to the leadership of president obama, the hard work of the congress, and the unwavering determinat

the senate has been getting its day with a moment of silence to honor senator ted kennedy. >> mr. edward kennedy. >> so ordered. >> the democrat from massachusetts died august 25th. he was 77. he had been in the senate since 1962. >>> melanie oudin, sounds like the average american teenager. she does not play like anything average at all. she's a rock star in tennis. the 17-year-old from marietta, georgia, is making a name for herself at the u.s. open. she first knocked out the number four seed. then just basically mowed down the former champian, maria sharapova. then yesterday, she beat nadya petrova in a come-from-behind win. now she's in the quarterfinals whether that hasn't been an american player this young since serena williams did it ten years ago. oudin says this incredible run is a dream come true. >> this has been my dream forever. i've worked so hard for this and it's finally happening. i'm in my first quarterfinal of a grand slam. this is amazing. i'm finally achieving my goal. >> forever, all 17 years. i love her. in tomorrow's quarterfinal match, she faces the ninth s

kennedy jr. and members of the legislature, secretary of state is here, as well, thank you mr. secretary for being here. lieutenant governor, of course, joins me. and i want to welcome all of you as well as our special guests paul and gail kirk about whom i will have a bit more to say in just a moment. in so many ways, so many ways, the interests of the commonwealth have never been more vital or more at stake in the congress today. in january, the people of the commonwealth will have an opportunity to go to the polls and elect their next united states senator to fill the vacancy created by the loss of senator kennedy in august. between now and then, the vital interests of the people of the commonwealth will come before the congress for debate and for voting. those interests include economic and job creation bills, education and transportation funding, financial regulations, climate change legislation, and a host of others. in all these and other ways, congress is debating our future right now. then, of course, there is health care reform. for senator kennedy, courageously argue

he will fill the seat of the late senator ted kennedy on july special election in january. mr. kirk heads the john f. kennedy library foundation is the former chair of the democratic national committee. this is all less than half an hour. -- this is a little less than half an hour. [laughter] >> did you see me take those steps? >> very impressive. >> good morning everyone and factual for coming. i want to especially welcome senator john kerry, vicki kennedy, ted kennedy jr., and members of the legislature, secretary of state is here as well, thank you for being here, lt. governor joins me, and want to welcome all of you, as well as our special guests, paul and bill kirk about whom i will have more to say in just a moment. in so many ways, the interests of the commonwealth have never been more vital or more at stake in the congress today. in january, the people of the commonwealth will have an opportunity to go to the polls and elect their next united states senate or to fill the vacancy created by the loss of senator kennedy in august. between now and then, the vital interests o

mr. know. it worries me that if we're going to get anything done, we have to have the great legislators, and we lost ted kennedybalism. george? >> i have a serious high point, but president obama announced the other day he was going to actually let the people in america know they can visit the white house. in the last administration, we had -- -- >> that is our show for the day. we're so glad you can month. let us up at pbwhchronicle.c om. until next week, cheers. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- produced in collaboration with çówhut, washington univ. television. this has been "white house chronicle," featuring llewellyn king, linda gasparello, and guests. to the viet -- to view the program on line, a vis

mr. president, his dream shall never die. >> kennedy died last month of brain cancer. death. >> what we face, he wrote, is above all a moral issue. at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country. >> kennedy said that although he knew he would not be there when it happens he was certain president obama would be the one to finally sign health care reform into law. >>> in california a conservative assemb assemblyman has resigned because of a conversation he had with a committee member. thelma gutierrez has the racy details. >> reporter: this is mike duvall, a conservative republican caught in a very embarrassing conversation here in the california state assembly. the lawmaker was unaware he was being recorded on an in-house channel at the state capitol boasting about exploits with a married woman to a fellow committee member before a meeting. the 54-year-old married two-term legislature from orange county was talking about a liaison with a lobbyist who represents a firm that is a utility company.

mr. conyers, and ladies and gentlemen of the kennedy it is a privilege -- >> would you pull the microphone closer? pull the microphone a little closer, please. it's not on. you have to press something. >> i still have five minutes? >> we are resetting the ploch. >> it is a privilege to be here and i am delighted to be invited and i am delighted to see my friend the chairman of the committee the gentleman from michigan, mr. conyers, and on and on our to represent the security and liberty and security committee of the constitution project today. you have my previously prepared statement and attached is the liberty and security committee statement on reforming the peach react. one word about the makeup of our committee, it is a truly bipartisan. bipartisan in nature we address issues not as republicans or democrats but we need more of that i think in this country and here in washington. our membership is broadbased and includes a number of former u.s. attorneys, some distinguished judges, former judges, professors of law, deans of law school, even a publisher, mr. conyers, who is a publisher

john kennedy stood strong and wouldn't back up and where would we be had that not happened? in just recent days mr. putin stared president obama in the eye and mr. obama blinked and it has historic and grave consequences, i believe, for the free world and especially for america and future generations and i am just very concerned as we go forward now that this president is going to somehow say, well, iran probably can have a peaceful nuclear program. well, let me just say to you, by the way, that iran has so much natural gas that it would be scales of 10 tcheeper -- cheaper for them just to produce their electricity with natural gas than to build a nuclear power plant to produce electricity. so that's a completely ridiculous notion. here's what i'm afraid of. i'm afraid that this president is going to either naively or somehow in the hope that he in his broad mindedness will convince jihad to change their mind, which they've had for hundreds of years, to change theirs and it's just not going to happen that way. i fear that he is going to allow iran to go forward with a so-called peaceful nuclear pr

mr. chairman, it is courteous if you do not interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence. >> an issue that senator ted kennedy fought for as it became closer and closer to a vote. >> kennedy's son and widow were also on hand for that announcement. >> actor john travolta has revealed to the public that his son had autism. that revelation cannot guess the day during the trial of two people trying to blackmail the family. john travolta the described his sons seizures and relived the moment back in january where his son was found on responsive at their vacation home. the paramedics attorneys asked john travolta as attorneys for $25 million. >> this is an embarrassing situation. you have a former senator accused of demanding $25 million from john travolta in exchange for a medical document. >> and john travolta will have to testify again possibly as early as tomorrow. >> it is said to be one of the largest cases of animal cruelty in u.s. history. >> hundreds of animals found in terrible condition at a home. >> acorn strikes back with a lawsuit. >> some hand sanitizer, some masks. coming up, some things you might w

mr. tiore and have -- enable us to have more statistics in that regard. >> senator ted kennedy introduced legislation and i'm proud to be following on with that, that would increase the tools for federal investigators and also to local -- state and local law enforcement. that deals with hate crimes. we know it happens and saw the murder of a guard at the holocaust museum. and your department was involved and other areas, something all of us found as shocking, things that you might see, do you think if we pass a bill, maybe it will help law enforcement curb this trend of crimes of ethnicity or race or sexual orientation or bias, would that help us? >> have to take a look at it. but might well. >> thank you, senator schumer, you -- yield to senator schumer. you voted, i take it? >> [inaudible]. >> thank you, mr. chairman. first let me thank you, i know you have many more questions, than you thought you would and you are a good friend, a great leader and a wonderful chairman, so thank you for doing that for me and i hope the questions, mr. director, weren't too difficult that i caused. >> no

mr. chairman, i am not delaying. i am making an extremely important point. >> it is an important point, but you are also delaying. >> and massachusetts gov. deval patrick fills ted kennedy's senate seat. >> i am pleased to announce paul kirk as the interim united states senator from massachusetts. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> welcome to "inside washington." i am mark shields, sitting in for gordon peterson, will be back next week. "washington post" had the scope of the week, with bob woodward's story summarizing the views of stanley mcchrystal saying that the u.s. needs more troops in afghanistan to keep the mission from of failing. >> if the president does not come to a decision soon, we will miss the window of getting more troops into the theater as the spring thaw occurs when at more troops will be necessary. >> the leak of the report is seen as a response to the president's perceived reluctance to commit more troops to afghanistan. will this pressure the president to send more troops to afghanistan, charles krauthammer? >> it probably will. i think the reason it got leaked is that the report at delivered to the president on augu

mr. mills. think that's a proem this president has. in the house, with the excepon of henry waxman, i'm noture they havthe skillful legislors and with ted kennedy gone i don't know who u have in t senate to shepherd this through. i think that's a real problem. >> i d agree wi that. the numberf people whoave experiend putting together complicated pieces of legislation just isn't tre the way there was the 1s. then you havto issue, which rich elud to. part... why isthe bl popular now? i thk one, people have had loofgovernment sved down their throats for od reasons and baover the last couple months, they're a little nervous. it's not a country that's attuned to have having big government. >> rose: are they worried aut vernment or the defit and the cost? >> many my view... and ithink that's why t president understands that, that's whyis rhetoric about themerican characteis so central. america has a tradition. the traditi is lited gornment. and ontop of that you have defici. you have what' going to b.. i don't kn, our public debt to g.d.p. wille 83% by 2019. soou have a great deal of anxiety. then the thi thing is it's almost impossible, it's very ha