WASHINGTON, AUG. 26, 2009--
Heritage Foundation
President Ed Feulner today issued the following statement on the
death of Sen. Edward Kennedy:
Even in Washington, it's possible to disagree without being
disagreeable. We should keep that in mind as America mourns the
passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy.
Sen. Kennedy's career was marked by the passion he brought to
his work, his dedication to serving this great country, his respect
for the institution of the Senate and his pursuit of bipartisan
compromise. Washington will certainly be less vibrant without
him.
This is a time to celebrate Kennedy's lifetime of public service
and to pray that his family can find comfort in their time of
loss.
I disagreed with Sen. Kennedy on virtually every major issue,
but this sad occasion is not a time to try to score political
points. Unfortunately, many are already using his passing to
promote a political agenda, insisting that the United States must
honor him by pushing universal health care. It is wrong, and
tactless, to use Sen. Kennedy's death -- or anyone's -- simply to
advance a particular policy agenda. This is a time for genuine
tribute, not crass politics.