He moved gingerly, in small, careful steps, looking down at the lush grass beneath his feet as he slowly made his way to the podium.
Then, Senator Edward M. Kennedy stood straight as the wind whipped a flag behind him at his seaside family estate, and in a clear, strong voice introduced the president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. Before a group of media gathered on the lawn, he praised Bachelet's leadership and accepted the highest award the Chilean government bestows to foreign citizens.
"I am deeply humbled by this honor," he said at the afternoon event.
It was Kennedy's first public appearance since his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August. But aides say Kennedy, who has undergone treatment for brain cancer, has resumed a busy work schedule from his home that includes daily teleconferences with fellow senators.
Yesterday, the senior Massachusetts senator and liberal icon did not formally field questions from the media, but in passing said he has been feeling well and at one point flashed a thumbs-up sign to photographers.
The event seemed designed to help keep the ailing politician in the public eye and show that his health is not keeping him from fully performing his duties as senator. He plans to return to Washington in January, his aides said.
Kennedy's health troubles have added prominence to his public appearances, and the audience seemed to scrutinize his movements and facial expressions.
They watched carefully as Kennedy, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, greeted Bachelet in his driveway with his wife, Vicki, and as he tentatively lowered himself into the back of a golf cart that drove them near the podium.
Kennedy, who is 76, smiled broadly and laughed heartily in easy exchanges with Bachelet and other dignitaries. He looked well-rested and relaxed but was somewhat unsteady on his feet and at the end of the event needed slight assistance up the porch stairs.
Neither Bachelet nor Kennedy mentioned his illness.
In his first remarks about the deepening financial crisis, which he said "threatened the economic security of the United States and other countries," Kennedy called for "accountability and full disclosure" in the handling of the Wall Street meltdown.
Kennedy also praised Congress for advancing mental health parity legislation he had sponsored, calling it "the most important healthcare legislation that has been passed in some time."
The measure, which passed the Senate last night and was expected to pass in the House, requires equal coverage for mental health ailments under group health plans involving 50 or more employees. It would affect about 113 million people, including 82 million who are in self-funded plans not covered by state mental health parity laws.
In her speech, Bachelet extolled Kennedy's leadership in working to cut off US aid to the dictatorial Pinochet regime in the 1970s and helping her country achieve democracy.
"You were there for us when human rights were massively and systematically abused," she said, calling him "one of the great and true friends of Chile."
"You not only understood, you acted accordingly," she added. "In you, we see the United States we love and esteem."
Kennedy said Chileans had shown great courage in overcoming dictators and repressive conditions and were a "shining example" to the region and the world.
Bachelet, who flew to Boston after the event to speak at Harvard University, went out of her way to visit the Kennedy home, a gesture that seemed to move the senator. After their remarks, he struck a nostalgic note.
"This has been a very special place for our family and you do us a great honor, a great honor, to join us here."
Then, Senator Edward M. Kennedy stood straight as the wind whipped a flag behind him at his seaside family estate, and in a clear, strong voice introduced the president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. Before a group of media gathered on the lawn, he praised Bachelet's leadership and accepted the highest award the Chilean government bestows to foreign citizens.
"I am deeply humbled by this honor," he said at the afternoon event.
It was Kennedy's first public appearance since his speech at the Democratic National Convention in August. But aides say Kennedy, who has undergone treatment for brain cancer, has resumed a busy work schedule from his home that includes daily teleconferences with fellow senators.
Yesterday, the senior Massachusetts senator and liberal icon did not formally field questions from the media, but in passing said he has been feeling well and at one point flashed a thumbs-up sign to photographers.
The event seemed designed to help keep the ailing politician in the public eye and show that his health is not keeping him from fully performing his duties as senator. He plans to return to Washington in January, his aides said.
Kennedy's health troubles have added prominence to his public appearances, and the audience seemed to scrutinize his movements and facial expressions.
They watched carefully as Kennedy, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie, greeted Bachelet in his driveway with his wife, Vicki, and as he tentatively lowered himself into the back of a golf cart that drove them near the podium.
Kennedy, who is 76, smiled broadly and laughed heartily in easy exchanges with Bachelet and other dignitaries. He looked well-rested and relaxed but was somewhat unsteady on his feet and at the end of the event needed slight assistance up the porch stairs.
Neither Bachelet nor Kennedy mentioned his illness.
In his first remarks about the deepening financial crisis, which he said "threatened the economic security of the United States and other countries," Kennedy called for "accountability and full disclosure" in the handling of the Wall Street meltdown.
Kennedy also praised Congress for advancing mental health parity legislation he had sponsored, calling it "the most important healthcare legislation that has been passed in some time."
The measure, which passed the Senate last night and was expected to pass in the House, requires equal coverage for mental health ailments under group health plans involving 50 or more employees. It would affect about 113 million people, including 82 million who are in self-funded plans not covered by state mental health parity laws.
In her speech, Bachelet extolled Kennedy's leadership in working to cut off US aid to the dictatorial Pinochet regime in the 1970s and helping her country achieve democracy.
"You were there for us when human rights were massively and systematically abused," she said, calling him "one of the great and true friends of Chile."
"You not only understood, you acted accordingly," she added. "In you, we see the United States we love and esteem."
Kennedy said Chileans had shown great courage in overcoming dictators and repressive conditions and were a "shining example" to the region and the world.
Bachelet, who flew to Boston after the event to speak at Harvard University, went out of her way to visit the Kennedy home, a gesture that seemed to move the senator. After their remarks, he struck a nostalgic note.
"This has been a very special place for our family and you do us a great honor, a great honor, to join us here."
Go to:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/09/24/as_chile_hails_his_support_kennedy_projects_aura_of_strength?mode=PF
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