Cord Byrd: “The Apocrypha, or the Hidden Books, is a term used to describe the books found in the Alexandrine Greek Scripture (The…”

“The Apocrypha, or the Hidden Books, is a term used to describe the books found in the Alexandrine Greek Scripture (The Septuagint), but absent from the Orthodox Hebrew Scripture. In the second book of Esdras is found the following Admonishment: "Now therefore keep thy sorrow to thyself, and bear with a good courage that which hath befallen thee." There is one Member of this body who seems to have lived his life by that particular piece of ancient wisdom. That Member to whom I refer is the senior Senator from the State of Massachusetts, Edward M. Kennedy. The saga of the Kennedy family is well known by nearly everyone. It is a story replete with triumphs and unfathomable tragedies. Many times, I have marveled, at the resilience displayed by Ted Kennedy and by his family. Somehow they always manage to regroup, to prevail, to go on, even in the face of devastation. I believe they find their strength in the love of each other, and in their unstinting devotion to public service. Senator Ted Kennedy is absolutely committed to public service. He has served and served wisely and well in the United States for 38 years. First elected to the Senate in 1962, Ted Kennedy is now the third most senior Member of this body. A child of privilege, educated at Harvard and the University of Virginia Law School, Ted Kennedy could have taken the easier path in life. But instead Ted Kennedy came to the Senate to work.…”