NYSUT mourned the loss of two champions of education, both in the Kennedy family, this summer.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded the precursor to the Special Olympics in 1962 and was honored with the statewide union's most prestigious award in 2003, died Aug. 11. Her brother, U.S. Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy, died Aug. 25.

Representing the state of Massachusetts as a Democrat since 1962, Kennedy had a long relationship with NYSUT's national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers. He last spoke at an AFT convention in 2007, when he was made an honorary AFT member.

"The causes he championed were some of the most urgent of our time," said AFT President Randi Weingarten, "extending health care to those who lacked access, raising the minimum wage to lift hard-working people out of poverty, and pursuing the promise of public education and the labor movement as America's great equalizers."

NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi noted that when the AFT endorsed Kennedy for president in the 1980 primary, NYSUT went to work.

"Even though it's rare to go against an incumbent, it was clear we needed to get behind the very best candidate, and at that time it was Ted Kennedy," Iannuzzi recalled.

NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin recalls working the phone banks for that 1980 Democratic primary. "At the victory party, when Kennedy came into the room, everyone exploded and the excitement he created reverberated," Lubin said, adding that Kennedy was "effusive" in his thanks to the efforts of many committed union members: New York state was one of the states Kennedy won before ending his presidential bid.
The 1980 presidential race was eventually won by Ronald Reagan, defeating President Jimmy Carter.

"Senator Kennedy left a legacy of extraordinary accomplishments," Iannuzzi said. "We are a better nation because of his service. His greatest accomplishment was how he worked to improve the lives of ordinary people and those least fortunate in our society."

NYSUT honors Shriver

Eunice Kennedy Shriver motivates an athlete at the Special Olympics in 1968.

NYSUT recognized Eunice Kennedy Shriver for her work in education, and especially for children with disabilities, at its 2003 annual convention.

Through sponsorship and dozens of volunteers, NYSUT annually plays a major role in the state's summer games. The Special Olympics, involves 1 million athletes in 150 countries yearly.

Tony Bifaro, a NYSUT assistant to the president, who chaired the state Special Olympics Board of Directors for years, noted he witnessed firsthand Shriver's commitment and dedication to the mentally and physically challenged.

"She was tireless in her efforts at helping those who society had 'written off' as less capable, especially back in the 1960s," Bifaro said. "By providing first-class athletic opportunities for these individuals, she changed society's perception of abilities forever."