Irish Prime Minister Names Centre at Trinity College After Kennedy
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13–The awards and accolades continue to mount for Senator Ted Kennedy.
Almost three weeks after the Senate recognized Kennedy’s lifelong achievements in a tribute for his 70th birthday, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern yesterday announced the establishment of the Senator Edward Kennedy Centre for Health Service Management at Trinity College in Dublin. Mr. Ahern spoke at a press conference in the Lyndon B. Johnson Room, a hall’s length away from the Senate floor, with Senators John Kerry and Chris Dodd (D-CT) on hand along with Mr. Kennedy’s wife, Vicki, and his sisters Eunice and Jean, the latter a former ambassador to Ireland.
“I am delighted that we have been able to honor Senator Kennedy in this way,” Mr. Ahern said. “Ted Kennedy has been a true and valued friend of Ireland over many decades, in difficult as well as good times. He has been steadfast in his support for peace and reconciliation in our country. Moreover, his many notable achievements during his distinguished career as a U.S. Senator mark him out as someone very special indeed and greatly deserving of this honor.”
He added, “Everybody knows – and everyone in Ireland knows – that Senator Kennedy has done [much work] in policy, in caring, assisting people to make the world a better place.”
Mr. Kennedy was visibly moved by the praise. “I’m deeply moved by this generous honor from the Irish government, the Irish people and Trinity College,” he said. “Ireland has always held a special place in my heart and with the Kennedy family. The pursuit of excellence in public health has been a life-long goal, and I’m honored that the Centre for Health Service Management in Ireland will continue to contribute to that important effort in my name.”
The Senator first gained headlines for his connection with Ireland in 1970. That year, he condemned British oppression in Northern Ireland, comparing it to South African apartheid, in an address at Trinity College. Mr. Kennedy said Ireland has been a close friend of his family’s; his brother, President John F. Kennedy, was the first chief executive to visit the country, and his sister was the U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 1993 to 1998.
The director of the centre will also occupy the Senator Edward Kennedy Chair in Health Management. Senator. Dodd joked that in the event he needed a job in the future, the Edward Kennedy Chair might interest him. “I’m just curious,” he said. “How much money does that chair pay?”
Senator Kennedy has long been identified as an advocate of affordable health care, and is currently the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
“I’m grateful for the attention this [recognition] has gotten for health care,” he said. “It’s a lifelong passion of mine.”
Written for the New Bedford Standard-Times in New Bedford, Mass.
