Report from the Chair of the Board of Governors

August 28, 2009

The Lion of the Senate

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage -- and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. – President John F. Kennedy

The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy earlier this week does indeed mark the passing of the torch to a new generation. Senator Kennedy was an inspiration to all of us and his vision that all Americans should have access to affordable high quality care will live on. The “Lion of the Senate” succumbed to advanced glioblastoma at the age of 77. He fought the valiant fight and advocated for health care reform throughout his illness. Senator Kennedy authored more than 2,500 bills throughout his career in the United States Senate. Of those bills, several hundred have become Public Law.

On a personal note, I had the opportunity to meet Senator Kennedy on several occasions. As a fellow Irish-American I was especially proud of this son of Ireland and of the Kennedy legacy in American politics. My last interaction with Senator Kennedy was in September 2007 during one of his regular walks on the Capitol Hill lawn with his two beloved Portuguese Water dogs Splash and Sunny. He was always a source of inspiration to those he interacted with.

The bipartisan tributes acknowledging the passing of Senator Kennedy only exemplify the respect he held among his colleagues. Senator John McCain stated that “Ted Kennedy comes as close to being indispensable as any individual I've ever known in the Senate because he had a unique way of sitting down with the parties at a table and making the right concessions, which really are the essence of successful negotiations.” Senator Kennedy reached across the aisle to form bipartisan agreement on the toughest issues and with his toughest adversaries. He played a pivotal role in helping President Lyndon B. Johnson with the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, just five years after assuming his brother's Senate seat at age 30.

Sen. Kennedy’s death comes during a week when projections about increased federal spending and the expanding national debt threaten efforts at healthcare reform and providing additional access to the uninsured. The death of the “Lion of the Senate” may change the agenda toward passage of some type of historic healthcare reform bill. As Dr. Jack Lewin has stated so eloquently: “…Regardless of partisan views and his often liberal leanings, all members of Congress, citizens of the nation, and members of the College should pause in respectful recognition that a great man has left the world stage, but that his legacy will surely live on in the health of our nation…”

 "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die" – Senator Edward Kennedy addressing the Democratic National Convention after pulling out of the presidential race, August 1980.

JOHN GORDON HAROLD, MD, FACC

Chair, ACC Board of Governors

2009-2010 Board of Governors Steering Committee Membership:
John Gordon Harold, MD, FACC (Chair), California: john.harold@cshs.org
Jane E. Schauer, MD, PhD, FACC (Past Chair), New Mexico: janeschauer1@msn.com
Richard J. Kovacs, MD, FACC (Chair-Elect), Indiana: rikovacs@iupui.edu
José Rivera Del Río, MD, FACC, Puerto Rico: joseriveradelrio@gmail.com
J. Chris Higgins, MD, FACC, Vermont: jch6@mac.com  
Oscar R. Jenkins, Jr, MD, FACC, North Carolina: oscarj@avlcard.com
Margo Minissian, ACNP-BC, MSN, CNS, California: Margo.Minissian@cshs.org   
Thad F. Waites, MD, FACC, Mississippi: twaites@netdoor.com  
Michael Widmer, MD, FACC, Oregon:  michael@heartdoctorsnw.com 

Board of Governors Meeting and Legislative Conference

The BOG Meeting will begin on Sunday, September 13, at 7:30 AM.

BOG Agenda 9-09.doc

If you have not booked you travel and/or hotel for the Legislative Conference, please contact Taryn Gold at 202-375-6248 or tgold@acc.org