[Pages S9318-S9319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

DESIGNATING THE KENNEDY CAUCUS ROOM

Mr. DODD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 264, submitted
earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

A resolution (S. Res. 264) designating the Caucus Room of
the Russell Senate Office Building as the ``Kennedy Caucus
Room.''

S. Res. 264

Whereas, during the last century, few rooms have borne
witness to as much history as the Caucus Room of the Russell
Senate Office Building;
Whereas, during the last century, few families have played
as integral a role in the history of the United States as has
the Kennedy family;
Whereas the Senate mourns the passing of Senator Edward
Moore Kennedy, one of the most accomplished, effective, and
beloved Senators of all time;
Whereas Senator Edward Moore Kennedy played a role in every
major national debate during the last 50 years, serving as a
constant champion of the disadvantaged and overlooked;
Whereas the legacy of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy includes
not only his prolific achievements on behalf of the people of
the United States, but the enduring friendships he formed
with colleagues on both sides of the aisle;
Whereas the wit and passion of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy
and his perseverance in the face of adversity will be
remembered in equal measure to his impressive legislative and
rhetorical skills;
Whereas Senator Edward Moore Kennedy was part of a proud
family tradition of public service, which included 2 other
distinguished Senators;
Whereas never before have 3 brothers served in the Senate,
and rarely have any 3 brothers served the United States so
well;
Whereas John Fitzgerald Kennedy served the people of
Massachusetts with distinction in the Senate, before being
elected the 35th President of the United States;
Whereas Robert Francis Kennedy served the people of New
York with distinction in the Senate, after serving as the
64th Attorney General;
Whereas Edward Moore Kennedy served the people of
Massachusetts with distinction in the Senate for nearly half
a century, acting as a tireless advocate for those who might
otherwise have been without an advocate;
Whereas the Senate has been greatly enriched by the
dedication, compassion, and talent of the 3 Kennedy brothers
who served as Senators;
Whereas, in the Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office
Building, the people of the United States have commemorated
tragedy, celebrated triumph, and held hearings of great
importance on the most important issues facing the Nation;
Whereas it was in the Caucus Room of the Russell Senate
Office Building that both Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy and
Senator Robert Francis Kennedy announced their intention to
run for the office of the President of the United States;
Whereas a spirit of passionate advocacy and deep respect
for the institution of the Senate should govern the
deliberations that take place in the Caucus Room of the
Russell Senate Office Building; and
Whereas the Senate wishes to honor the life and work of
Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, to recognize the contributions
of the 3 Kennedy brothers who served as Senators, and to
celebrate the spirit of public service exemplified by the
Kennedy family: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate designates room 325 of the
Russell Senate Office Building, commonly referred to as the
``Caucus Room'', as the ``Kennedy Caucus Room'', in
recognition of the service to the Senate and the people of
the United States of Senators Edward Moore Kennedy, Robert
Francis Kennedy, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. DODD. Madam President, I wish to take a second and thank, first
of all, the majority leader, Senator Reid, for his support in this
effort. I recognize as well our colleague from Massachusetts, Senator
Kerry, who is my lead cosponsor in this effort and a very close and
dear personal friend of Ted Kennedy for many years. And I thank our
colleagues.
We are 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. I am pleased he is here with us at this moment to watch
this resolution be adopted.
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, and

[[Page S9319]]

that any statements relating to the resolution be printed in the
Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 264) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I thank the distinguished Senator from
Connecticut. There was no closer or better friend to Ted Kennedy than
Chris Dodd. I admire and respect his many efforts in the Senate to
fight the fights in the spirit of Ted Kennedy.
This could not be more appropriate, and I do not think anything more
needs to be said. I thank him, and I thank the majority leader. It is
wonderful to have Patrick, Congressman Kennedy, on the floor of the
Senate to share in this moment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.
Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I join, of course, Senator Kerry, Senator
Dodd, and Congressman Kennedy in honoring Patrick's father and the
Kennedy family in what used to be the Russell caucus chamber. There is
no more appropriate place, I believe, to honor Senator Kennedy than
right there.

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