您现在的位置: Language Tips> Audio & Video> Normal Speed News  
   
 





 
Kennedy leaves global legacy
[ 2009-08-28 16:09 ]

 

The late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy was not just an American political figure, he also made a distinct mark around the world. Praise from international leaders has been pouring in since the news of his passing from brain cancer.

Leaders from around the globe have reached out to share fond memories and admiration of Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy.

In his nearly 50 years in the Senate, Kennedy had more impact on domestic issues than foreign policy, but he still made a global mark.

Kennedy leaves global legacy

Senator Kennedy, who came from an Irish Catholic family, helped negotiate peace in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. He was also a strong opponent of the war in Vietnam and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq during the Bush administration.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says Kennedy made an extraordinary contribution to the United States' role in the world.

"When you look at the content of this legislative career, spanning a whole breadth of public policy, health policy, social policy, foreign policy. This has been a unique career," he said.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says Kennedy was able to put his policies into action.

"Possibly, he is one of the most effective members of the Congress that served during the last 20 years," he said.

One of the accomplishments Kennedy is most known for on the world stage is helping to secure the success of the Northern Ireland peace process. The negotiations led to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of sectarian violence in the British province.

Kennedy leaves global legacy

Earlier this year, Britain awarded Kennedy an honorary knighthood for his services.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who oversaw the Good Friday negotiations, says Kennedy was a "true public servant committed to the values of fairness and opportunity."

Though he was born to one of the wealthiest families in the United States, Kennedy earned a reputation as a defender of the underprivileged.

The senator was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War. He also led the Congressional effort to impose sanctions on South Africa over apartheid in the 1980s, fought for human rights in Chile, and championed the needs of refugees around the world.

In 2002, he voted against authorizing the Iraq war, a decision he later called "the best vote" he had made since becoming a senator in 1962.

Israeli President Shimon Peres says Kennedy was a true independent.

"Ted Kennedy was a great American leader who was also a great friend for the state of Israel. He has had a strong and original voice that was held and respected all over the world. He was totally independent in his way of thinking and in his way of expressing things," he said.

During his long career, that independent way of thinking made Kennedy a strong champion of liberal causes. He called reforming the U.S. health care system the cause of his life, but also worked to influence civil rights, education and immigration.

Despite his Catholic background, Kennedy also became a strong advocate of abortion rights and later, a supporter of same-sex marriage.

sectarian: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sect 宗派的

oversee: supervise 监督(oversee the workmen 监督工人)

vocal: tending to express oneself often or freely; outspoken 直言不讳的

Related stories:

Obama remembers Kennedy as mentor, friend, political icon

Senator Edward Kennedy dies aged 77

Kennedy's successor to be chosen by special election

Obama awards Presidential Medal Of Freedom

(Source: VOA 英语点津编辑)

英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
相关文章 Related Story
 
 
 
本频道最新推荐
 
China Daily Video News August 28, 2009
意总理夫人新书爆离婚内幕
你耳朵里有earworm吗?
别发这十类恼人短信
西瓜汁制乙醇有望成新能源
翻吧推荐
 
论坛热贴
 
请教obama演讲里的一句话
 
晒晒小D机器人暴强的翻译
美国校园最in俗语大全
试译河东狮吼的经典台词
50个技巧改变你的2009