The Rest Of The World Mourns Too

Photo from UK Mirror

Touching the lives in the domestic borders you live in and serve for is already one extraordinary thing.

But to become an international icon (and the last name does not hurt matters at all) well, it is just further icing on the cake. Both of those things were accomplished by the now departed lawmaking Senator from Massachusetts, and his benevolence and fight for the oppressed and downtrodden reached beyond American borders.

Prime Minister Brown's comments:

Mr Brown said: "Senator Edward Kennedy will be mourned not just in America but in every continent.

"He is admired around the world as the senator of senators.

"He led the world in championing children's education and health care, and believed that every single child should have the chance to realise their potential to the full.

"Even facing illness and death,, he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work.

"I am proud to have counted him as a friend and proud that the United Kingdom recognised his service earlier this year with the award of an honorary knighthood."

He played a massive part in Northern Ireland relationship with the rest of its fellow British brothers and sisters, as well as American relations with that nation

The Senator for Massachusetts since 1962 was awarded his honorary Knighthood earlier this year for "services to British- American repationships and to Northern Ireland."

Proposing Mr Kennedy for the Knighthood Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Northern Ireland is today at peace, more Americans have health care, more children around the world are going to school and for all those things we owe a great debt to the life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy."

Former prime minister Tony Blair added his tribute, praising his "passionate commitment" to the Northern Ireland peace process.

He said "Senator Kennedy was a figure who inspired admiration, respect and devotion, not just in America but around the world.

"He was a true public servant committed to the values of fairness, justice and opportunity.

Northern Ireland's chimed in

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of the death of Mr Kennedy.

Mr Woodward said; "Ted Kennedy was a true and constant friend of the peace process in Northern Ireland whose huge influence in engaging the United States in that process cannot be over-estimated.

"In every sense he was an immense figure whose part in transforming Northern Ireland will be a lasting memorial.

"My thoughts are with the Kennedy family today."

In Ireland, the love is there for the venerable stoic figure

In Ireland, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said Mr Kennedy will be remembered with great affection.

Mr Cowen described Mr Kennedy as one of the most distinguished and talented figures in American politics.

He said: "Throughout his long and distinguished career in politics, Ted Kennedy has been a great friend of Ireland.

"He has used his considerable influence in the world's most powerful parliament for the betterment of this island.

"In good days and bad, Ted Kennedy worked valiantly for the cause of peace on this island."

Angela Merkel chimed in as well from the Deutchsland capital

“Germany and Europe have lost a treasured friend in Senator Kennedy,” Merkel said in an e-mailed statement from Berlin today. “His advocacy for justice and peace was stamped with his convictions and steadfastness.” Brown said Kennedy will be mourned “in every continent,” not only in the U.S.

“He led the world in championing children’s education and health care, and believed that every single child should have the chance to realize their potential to the full,” Brown said in a statement released by his office in London. “Even facing illness and death he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life’s work. I am proud to have counted him as a friend.”

Love from France and Italy as well

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Kennedy “symbolized the fight for the highest values of humanity.” Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called him a “model” politician who always defended the values of liberty and democracy.

Netanyahu expressed gratitude too

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Kennedy “a great American patriot, a great champion of a better world, a great friend of Israel,” according to his spokesman, Mark Regev.

In South Africa, the fighter for anti-apartheid in America is certainly memorized there as well

"Kennedy was among leaders who championed the opposition against the apartheid regime in South Africa," the African National Congress said in a statement following the death of the veteran senator at his home on Tuesday.

"He is remembered for having staged an ’illegal protest’ outside Pollsmoor Prison, where struggle icon Nelson Mandela was held."

And even in Bangladeshi, the love for Kennedy is felt too

Khaleda Zia, the former premier and now leader of the opposition, said that Bangladeshi people would remember him forever for the role he had played in mobilising world opinion in favour of Bangladesh liberation war.
"The late senator was a humanist and democratic personality."
He was among the few Western leaders who visited Bangladesh immediately after independence and paid homage to Bangladeshi martyrs.

In this growing global age that we live in, there seems to be a lack of public officials, outside of a President/Prime Minister or Secretary of State/Foreign Minister from one country, who have a true global impact on the world we live in today.

No question, it's not just Massachusetts, the Northeast, liberals/progressives, Senator Byrd, Pres Obama, VP Biden and even the conservatives in America who mourn Edward M. Kennedy are not alone.

And neither are you out there today in the online community. The world is mourning with you too.