Sylvester Turner: “as a Texan, it is an honor for me to come pay tribute to my friend, Joe Kennedy. I must tell you, Joe, that when I first…”

“as a Texan, it is an honor for me to come pay tribute to my friend, Joe Kennedy. I must tell you, Joe, that when I first came to this House 2 years ago, just the thought of meeting you, and knowing the rich heritage that your family has and the contributions that your family has made over the years to our country, caught me somewhat in awe to meet you the first time. I never will forget when we were in freshman orientation up at the Kennedy School at Harvard University and you invited the freshmen to come out for a dinner with you and Beth at the Kennedy Library. We had a chance to visit and to know the warmth and the charm that you and Beth both exude. It made me realize the character and the depth that you have as a person. I will tell you that I have always been impressed as a freshman Member of this body that I have never walked past you without you saying, hello, hello, Jim. Someone who has been around here much longer than I have, who oftentimes, as a new Member with 434 other Members here in this body, oftentimes it takes a while to get acquainted with everyone. But I never will forget the warmth and friendship you have exhibited to me personally and to the other Members of the freshman class. The Kennedy name means much in Texas.”