Cord Byrd: “On February 22, 1962, the youngest of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's nine children, Edward, was standing in front of the…”

“On February 22, 1962, the youngest of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's nine children, Edward, was standing in front of the Berlin Wall listening to a speech by his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy. It was Edward Kennedy's birthday. He was turning 30 years of age. Later that year, he ran for the Senate. On November 6, 1962, he was elected to that very historic Senate seat--a seat that had been held not only by his brother, but also by John Quincy Adams, by Charles Sumner, by Henry Cabot Lodge, and by the great Daniel Webster. Now, I relate that story not only to bring notice to this milestone year in the career of Senator Ted Kennedy, but also to bring notice that February 22, 2002, was a very special day in the life of the senior--perhaps I should now say the ``very'' senior--Senator from Massachusetts. This year marks 40 years since Edward Kennedy won the election to begin his distinguished career as a United States Senator, while last Friday marked the 70th anniversary of his birth. Oh, to be 70 again. It makes me pause, to be 70 again. I still cannot believe this young, 28-year-old fellow who was running around West Virginia campaigning for his brother during the crucial 1960 West Virginia primary is now 70 years old. The Psalmist says: The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Seventy years.…”