Capitol Hill is, contra my usual focus, not just buildings. Today’s post concerns itself with a different Capitol Hill icon, Senator Ted Kennedy, whose passing robbed the Senate of an institution as well as the nation’s third longest-serving Senator.
Edward Moore Kennedy first arrived in the Senate on November 7, 1962, to take over the seat that had been vacated by his brother just under 2 years earlier. He spent the next 46 years on the Hill, earning praise from all sides for his compassion and his work ethic. In that time he touched many lives, and at his 75th birthday, 500 former staffers turned out to celebrate. Although Kennedy spent much time in his home state of Massachusetts, and particularly in Hyannis Port, his true home was his office on Capitol Hill.
Follow me over the jump for a description – with pictures – of Kennedy’s final visit to the Capitol.
Ted Kennedy’s motorcade was to arrive at the Capitol around 4:00 PM on August 29th to allow Senate staff to pay their respects. Along with them, a large number of citizens gathered along the balustrade separating the lawns to the SE and NE of the Capitol from the broad expanse of stone that flows from the east front of the Capitol.
Although it was sunny at 4, as time passed, the sky became more and more cloudy. Dribs and drabs of information were gleaned by those waiting patiently from websites, friends following the events by TV at home, and helpful Capitol police officers who were making sure nobody hopped over the low barrier to the roadway on which the motorcade was to pass.
It soon became clear that Kennedy was, for one last time, operating on ‘Senate time’ (a phrase used by a former House staffer standing with me)
As the clock inched towards 6 PM, the sun broke through the clouds and bathed the Capitol in a warm evening glow.
It was, in the end, well after 6:00 PM that those waiting were treated to some action: Police cars coming up Independence Avenue and turning north on 1st St SE, presumably to set up on the other side to ease the passage of the motorcade along Constitution Ave.
At the same time, the barrier blocking the Independence Avenue side was lowered, and two police motorcycles rode up sedately, with a hearse following closely behind.
As the hearse moved ponderously in front of the Senate, a flag-draped coffin could be seen inside, and a spontaneous round of applause rose from those watching.
The hearse, followed by a slew of limousines, black SUVs, an extra hearse, several Peter Pan buses, and an ambulance, crossed in front of the Capitol to the salutes of the police officers.
The limousines had their windows down, and the Kennedy family waved to the still-applauding mourners. John Kerry, too, was seen waving from one of the SUVs.
The whole procession stopped in front of the steps leading down from the Senate side of the Capitol, which was thronged with Senate staff.
After prayers and words of praise for a man who was a Senate institution for 46 years, 9 months, 19 days, the procession moved off again to Kennedy’s final resting spot in Arlington cemetery.
Pictures by Tom Larsen