The Indiana Young Democrats join in mourning the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts. Known as “The Lion of the Senate,” Senator Kennedy worked with members of both houses of Congress and both political parties to enact legislation that while far-reaching and visionary, directly improved the lives of those who many had forgotten. Among the pieces of legislation in which he played a key role were the COBRA Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Ryan White AIDS Care Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Mental Health Parity Act, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

While much of Senator Kennedy’s legacy was achieved during his lifetime, his major legislative goal was the passing of health care reform. It is our hope, along with millions of others across the country, that the United States Senate passes comprehensive, meaningful health care reform and moves towards the fair and equitable health care system that Senator Kennedy fought for while in the Senate.

We thank the Senator for his great service to our nation, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family in their time of loss.