Title: Kerry: Sen. Brooke's torch being passed

" Before his mission was cut tragically short fourteen years later doctor king met. Countless men and women who he enlisted in the calls law but one who became his confidant. Was Edward William broke Ferrer. Whose journey we honor today. Like so many of us Ed was moved by the eloquence of actions of doctor king. But they're also times when doctor king was move my head. Especially when doctor king himself conflict did. So our heads council on the Vietnam War. Before taking his own moral stand against the conflict. Ed came to this capital as we know in 1967. In this president spoke eloquently a moment ago. About his journey in the army and his contributions to the country before that. But his journey here in the congress really began in 1962. When that as the majority leader reminded us president Kennedy said of his election that's the biggest news. In the country. Well there was bigger news ahead. Not the presidential race. But because of the job he did as Massachusetts's attorney general. He was a vigorous prosecutor organized crime. And he worked closely with -- local police departments to solve one of the great. Crimes. In our history the Boston strangler. Massachusetts elected head to the United States senate not because of tolerance -- But as doctor king hoped because of the content of this character. The man Massachusetts sent to the Senate became known immediately for his independence. A public service -- compass was guided not by party. But by conscience. He was one of the first advocates of legislation to provide affordable housing in America. And when it was especially difficult. He stood up for affirmative action. Desegregation. Privacy rights minority business development. And increase -- Social Security benefits. And the extension of the voting rights act. Shortly after the assassination of his friend doctor king in 1968. -- became the first to propose a national holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader. He said quote it would be fitting to pay our respects this noble figure. By. Enduring public commendation of his life philosophy. It took fifteen years. For the rest of America to catch up -- It wasn't the only time. -- broke with President Nixon over his southern strategy. And it's unsavory appeals to racial prejudices. He knew that it was wrong to win an election. We'll lose your conscience. He opposed three of President Nixon Supreme Court nominees. He voted to impose a timetable and President Nixon to withdraw American troops from Vietnam. He introduced the legislation. Introduced the legislation is a republic but for the appointment of Watergate special prosecutor. He was the first senator in either party to call for president Nixon's resignation. -- council president Ford against pardoning the ex president. -- demonstrated the same kind of independent thinking as a member of the historic Kerner Commission. Which president Johnson appointed in 1967. To investigate the causes a race riots that have occurred. That year. The commission warned that America. Was quote moving towards two societies. One black one white. Separate and unequal. And after leaving the Senate. -- served on the panel President Reagan appointed to investigate the damage inflicted on Japanese Americans. Citizens who were placed in internment camps of the outbreak of World War II. In 1980 the panel recommended reparations in a formal apology. And five years of delays later. Congress finally passed a resolution doing just that that's leadership. I probably sit in the Senate seat once occupied by Ed -- When I first came here my greatest booster was his mom who lived to be a hundred. And at Brooke I might say is following in the footsteps he turned ninety just last month. 2005. I had the privilege of writing the Senate resolution awarding this same medal the congressional gold medal to Jackie Robinson himself -- TrailBlazer. Who once said. The life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. Well that's the kind of life at Brooke has lived the life of service in the struggle for equal opportunity. To the great work. Making more perfect our union. In his autobiography. And wrote this. It is my fondest hope that some readers of this book reflecting on my role in our nation's long political struggle. For equality opportunity. And justice in America. -- To continue that battle in their own lives. And in their own parents. The torch must be passed from generation to generation. If America. Is ever to fulfill its promise. -- looked around this rotunda today. As we look at the great accomplishments of these last years. Presents for our president here earlier we say ahead your great hope is coming true. The torch is being passed to a generation that has learned from your example. Of doing what is right. Whether nobody sees you doing it or not. And as doctor king said. That is the test. It's your example. Ed -- and your journey that we are so pleased to honor here today."