Albany, August 26, 2009 - New York State United Teachers President Richard C. Iannuzzi said today that working women and men lost "a great champion, leader and friend" with the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
Through his long and distinguished service in the U.S. Senate, "Senator Kennedy fought for and influenced everything that most American families care about: education, jobs, health care and social justice," Iannuzzi said.
Iannuzzi said President Obama was right when, earlier today, he called Sen. Kennedy "the greatest United States senator of our time."
"Senator Kennedy leaves a legacy of extraordinary accomplishments," Iannuzzi said. "His greatest accomplishment was how he worked to improve the lives of ordinary people and those least fortunate in our society. He believed in the American dream and our obligation as a nation to make that dream accessible to all Americans. Senator Kennedy carried that dream throughout his life, and we are a better nation because of his service."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
From the archives...
In 1980, Sen. Kennedy was featured prominently in the pages of New York Teacher while campaigning in New York's Democratic presidential primary. Click for larger view.