Robert F. Kennedy

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Categories: Massachusetts Democrats | New York Democrats

External Links

• Kennedy, Robert F. from Wikipedia

U.S. Attorney General (1961-1964) and Democratic Senator from New York (1965-1968); Brother of US President John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) and US Senator Edward Kennedy, Dem. of Massachusetts (1962-present). Was assassinated in June 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic nomination for President, by Sirhan Sirhan, a Maronite Christian Palestinian.

Although most famous in the shallow end of the media for being a Kennedy and being assassinated while running for office (not particularly vast accomplishments), in law enforcement circles he is also credited with successfully battling J. Edgar Hoover on the priority of fighting organized crime at the federal level. He was chief counsel for the Senate Rackets Committee in the late 1950s, where he helped investigate Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters. In addition, as Attorney General, he helped spearhead the Department of Justice's drive for civil rights. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson never got along, but they were in strong agreement about the importance of the civil rights movement.

"All great questions must be raised by great voices, and the greatest voice is the voice of the people - speaking out - in prose, or painting or poetry or music; speaking out - in homes and halls, streets and farms, courts and cafes - let that voice speak and the stillness you hear will be the gratitude of mankind." -- Address, New York City, January 22, 1963

• The RFK Memorial