Robert F. Kennedy
was born in 1925 in Brookline Massachusetts , and was
raised with
traditional family values. He was a true patriot, with a strong
sense of
nationalism. While Attending Harvard University, he saw that his
country needed
his help, so he put his undergraduate studies on hold to
serve his
country's Navy in World War II. When he returned home, he
finished his
Bachelor's degree at Harvard, and received an LL.B. from the
university of
Virginia Law. In 1951 he served as Attorney to the U.S.
Department of
Jjustice, but in 1952 he resigned to manage his brother
John's senatorial
campaign.
In 1953, he served as assistant counsel under
Senator Joseph
McCarthy's
permanent investigators subcommittee. He resigned in 1956
because he didn't
agree with all of Senator McCarthy's ideas and methods.
He then in 1957
was elected to be chief council for the Senate Rackets'
committee. During
that time he exposed mofia figureheads such as Jimmy
Hoffa and Dave
Beck. He seemed to be obsessed with dismantling the
Mofia. Under his
brother's administration, he continued his attack on the
Mofia. Robert
Kennedy had no sympathy for the mob, nor did he care that
he was being
criticized by the media for his "harsh measures" such as his
extensive use of
wiretaps .
In 1964 he resigned as Attorney General to
subsequently gain a Senate
seat from New
York. While being a Senator, his views on government
slightly changed.
He was now paying more attention to the needs of the
poor minorities,
and was criticizing the involvement of the United States in
the Vietnam War.
In March of 1968, he announced that he would be
running for
President on the
Democratic ticket. His charismatic personality appealed to
voters of all
ethnic backgrounds and ages. This helped him to win the
primaries in
Indiana, Nebraska, and California. On the day when he won
the California
primary, he was leaving a victory celebration when an
immigrant from
Jordan by the name of Sirhan B. Sirhan fatally shot
Kennedy. The
assassin was arrested at the scene and later convicted of
murder in the
first degree. The next day Kennedy died in a hospital bed
with his widow
Ethel at his side. He was buried in Arlington National
Cemetery, close to his brother John who also fell
victim to assassination
five years
earlier.
Robert Kennedy is
alive through his eleven children, the last one being born
after his
father's death.
Robert F. Kennedy, if not for his premature
death, possibly could
have led this
country through a new era. He could have made some very
positive changes.
If he had lived and succeeded in his mission, he probably
would have
brought the United States to a greater awareness of its
responsibility to
the poor and the vulnerable within the society. His concern
for Civil Rights
and the needs of the poor were an inspiration to many
Americans at that
time .
I Would like to conclude this report with a
poem I found on Robert Francis
("Bobby")
Kennedy written by Ron Wilson.
RFK
So high above the mountaintop
where Martin made his stand,
and far beyond the golden sky
of Johns' bold promised land;
would not our Bobby lead us on,
to glories yet unknown,
onward to peace and love for all
where none would be alone?
The promise of these things to
come,
was heard by young and old,
belief was in the hearts of all
for one so young and bold.
But on the coronation night,
assassins see their fill
of hate and greed and victory,
and vultures wait the kill
of one just crowned and given to
the people of our land,
the cheers of those supporting
him
assassins couldn't stand!
He, standing there amid the
crowd
in glory and in pride,
proclaiming all his plans
aloud,
for all, both far and wide;
such plans of love, and
brotherhood,
a peace, and hope we'd know,
and it was clearly understood,
support could only grow!
All hearts were one, yes, he and
they,
and cheers of victory
within their minds would show
the way
for all the world to see.
But all the love that was
therein
can't change the hands of fate,
and what was heard every where,
was but the sound of hate!
The shots rang out! While the
world
witnessed in great surprise,
the risen giant, in his fall,
now tumbling from the skies!
Does any leader ever cry
alone in darkened night
does any leader mourn alone,
out of the public's sight?
Oh! No! The millions saw his
tears,
for love of all he knew,
and in his death, his tears
were for
the things he couldn't do!
We cried before; and at his
side;
and kneeling at his stone!
While their assassins gloried
in
the deeds they'd done alone!
He gave the best that he could
give,
but shortened by the call
of blood, and comrad, gone before;
and come to meet him in the
hall!
In delivering his
fallen brother's eulogy, Senator Ted Kennedy made a statement
which many
Americans still remember because it summarized so eloquently Robert
Kennedy's life:
"Some men have seen things and
asked why;
My brother dreamed of things and
asked why not?"
SOURCES:
The New Grolier
Multimedia Encyclopedia - 1994 Edition
Microsoft Encarta
1995 Edition on CD-ROM
Several
Periodicals from the White House, Office of the Press Secretary
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