President Fr. McFarland’s Statement on Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1932-2009

Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J., president of Holy Cross, issued the following statement on the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

“We mourn the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and the prayers of the Holy Cross community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni are with his family at this time of enormous loss. His long and distinguished career in the Senate was always marked by a commitment to helping the poor, the vulnerable, and those who were often underrepresented or unheard — a commitment shared by us and recognized when Holy Cross awarded Senator Kennedy an honorary degree in 1977. Because one of his legislative priorities was access and affordability in higher education, he was instrumental in shaping the national conversation, setting standards, and fighting for Pell grants and other measures to ensure that the doors of America’s colleges and universities remain open to all. Through his lifetime of work on civil rights, health care and the nation’s education policy and his passionate advocacy for justice, his legacy will endure.”

Kennedy also delivered the commencement address when he accepted the honorary degree from Holy Cross in 1977.

Read the commencement address »

Media coverage:

• The New York Times, Aug. 26, "Excerpts From Kennedy’s Speeches"
• The Boston Globe, Aug. 26, "Who, now, will bear the torch?"
• The Boston Globe, Aug. 26, "Kennedy, the Senate’s liberal lion, dead at 77" 
• Reuters, Aug. 26, "Kennedy’s force felt in healthcare debate" 
• Telegram & Gazette, Aug. 27, "Kennedy remembered for his service to the people"
• The Huffington Post, Aug. 27, "The Liberals' Liberal"
• Catholic Free Press, Aug. 28, "'He taught us how to turn idealism into action'"
• Telegram & Gazette, Aug. 29, "Church leaders laud Kennedy"
  
  

Pictured: Senator Kennedy on the Holy Cross campus during commencement in 1977.