Dear Editor,
Tears came to my eyes as I read that the world has lost Senator Ted Kennedy. I say the world because his kind of legislation benefited many countries. We called him ‘Ted’ because he was like the common man, who although he came from a family that is treated like royalty, served with humility and spent his time with ordinary people. He mingled more with the poor than the rich. And his contributions to mankind are unmatched by any other American. He was a great servant of the people.
I had been reading about the Kennedy family and Ted’s work in the Senate long before I came to America in 1977 as a student. His advocacy for student financial grants and low interest loans helped so many, including me, through college. I supported his presidential campaign in 1980 and was disappointed he did not win. I first met him in 1989 at the Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in NY where he was the keynote speaker. He was at his best and he was moved to help restore democracy to Guyana because of the cries of so many Guyanese and the leadership of GOPIO.
Several Guyanese lobbied GOPIO to appeal to Senator Kennedy to take an active interest in human rights abuses in Guyana. The late Hassan Rahaman, Veka Lalji, Dr Baytoram Ramharack, Vassan Ramracha, Vishnu Bisram, Ramesh Kalicharran, etc, wrote to Kennedy urging his intervention in Guyana. Several Guyanese also sought the help of the late Ron Brown, who was at one time manager of Kennedy’s office in Washington and at the time Chairman of the Democratic Party. In NY, Dev, myself and few others met with Chairman Brown at the GOPIO meet and pleaded for his assistance to ensure free and fair elections in Guyana. Brown got results. Kennedy issued a statement condemning human rights abuses and calling for free and fair elections in Guyana. Kennedy also apologized for what took place against Dr Cheddi Jagan and said America had unfinished business in Guyana. The US had played a role in the ouster of Jagan and the coming of the PNC to power. Kennedy urged the Bush administration to take steps to ensure democracy returned to Guyana. This led to the Carter visit and the mechanisms that were put in place for first free and fair election in 24 years. Kennedy’s press release was followed by several others from Members of Congress including Elliott Engel and Stephen Solar, both of whom were lobbied by Mahadeo Persaud and Vishnu Bisram and other stalwarts of the anti-dictatorial movement. Both congressmen held Kennedy in high esteem. I recall both congressmen saying that if Teddy issued a statement calling for free and fair elections, that was enough for them to do the same. So, Teddy got the ball running on Guyana and today we enjoy democracy because of his humble intervention to correct what he accepted as a historic wrong committed on the nation by his brother President JFK, during the 1960s.
The world will miss Ted Kennedy. No one was more influential and respected than him in the Senate when it came to passing laws. He would disarm critics and get them to co-sponsor his bills. As one report noted, “he was a steadfast champion of the working class and the poor, a powerful voice on health care, civil rights, and war and peace.” He led a tireless march for justice, fairness, equality and opportunities for all, regardless of background.
The family’s statement following Teddy’s death is apt. “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.”
Thank you Senator Kennedy for what you did for Guyana. We will never forget you.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
