May 24, 1989
Kennedy picks up dust, cheers in Juarez
By Janet Perez
El Paso Times
Walking
through the dusty streets of the colonia Felipe Angeles, Sen. Edward
Kennedy wearily made his way through the last leg of his four-day
Mexico trip.
Dozens of colonia residents – many shouting enthusiastic greetings in Spanish – trailed Kennedy and the covey of well-dressed U.S. and Mexican officials who kept him moving along the streets.
The Bostonian from the most famous family in modern U.S. politics was dressed in a heavy gray coat, which quickly was covered with a think layer of dust, and was visibly wilting in the 100-degree heat.
Kennedy had little to say during his Juarez stop, unlike previous stops in Mexico City, Monterrey and Oaxaca, where he had spoken of the need for U.S. help to reduce Mexico’s foreign debt.
Economic policy meant little to the crowds that gathered to see a Kennedy.
“We love the Kennedy family,” said Natividad Lopez, a resident of the colonia.
Later in the day, Kennedy quietly handed out copies of a photograph – art least 25 years old – of himself as a young man and his to older brother, Jack and Bobby.
Kennedy ended his hurried whistle-stop tour of Mexico Tuesday morning and crossed the border to visit an amnesty education center in El Paso. He left for Austin shortly after noon.
At the colonia, the senator stopped by a family planning center that serves as the heart of the community. With dogs playing at his feet, Kennedy listened quietly as interpreters explained the center’s programs and scores of onlookers gazed curiously from a respectful distance.
He approached about 10 youngsters sitting on a dirt mound drawing pictures and tried to start a conversation. The children glanced up briefly and went back to their drawings.
The real enthusiasm for Kennedy came from the older colonia residents who clamored around him and told of their love for his brother, Jack.
One old woman made her way up to Kennedy and asked in broken English if he would be the padrino – the godfather – of the colonia. Kennedy smiled a hesitant, embarrasses smile and said “Yes.”
A half-dozen little girls shyly handed Kennedy bouquets of flowers, which he accepted with a Boston-accented gracias before being rushed away.
Inside a small dim brick building that is the clinic, Kennedy asked residents about the community’s programs while gazing absently at the crush of people in the hot little room.
“It is quite clear that we’re looking at people willing to help themselves,” Kennedy said.
After leaving the colonia, Kennedy and his entourage, which included his sisters Eunice Shriver and Jean Smith, were taken to the Integrated Family Development, or DIF, office just outside Downtown Juarez.
He tried to teach the children the popular children’s song, “Itsy, Bitsy Spider,” complete with hand motions that imitate a crawling spider.
Kennedy then went to the Benito Juarez Park in Downtown Juarez to place a wreath on the monument of Mexico’s first president.
A crowd of Juarenses gathered under the hot sun eagerly, awaiting a word from the senator. But after placing the wreath, Kennedy hurried off to his car – leaving the disappointed throng behind.
After crossing the border, Kennedy was taken on a short tour of amnesty classes at St. Anne’s Center, 600 S. Piedras in South El Paso.
Accompanied by enthusiastic applause, Kennedy praised the center for helping to bridge the gap between the two nations.
As the Kennedy motorcade headed for the airport, Maria Cepeda clung happily to an autographed poster of a younger Kennedy campaigning for senator and marveled at her good luck at having shaken his hand.
“I feel real happy,” she said, “and I cried with joy.”
Mom tells stories about how good John F. Kennedy was to Parral Chich. Mexico during his presedency. How, the poor recieved free breakfasts and gifts from Kennedys. Rest in Peace... I know the Kennedy Legacy will remain and flourish with their decendents.
Posted by: Kennedy_Fan | August 26, 2009 at 01:43 PM
It is absolutely imperative that we have universal, affordable health care. Anything less is unacceptable.
Posted by: sngourd | August 26, 2009 at 07:29 PM
He was the essence of what a public servant should be. He served not for money, not for power, not for recognition, and not for his own ego. He served for the people of this country who would otherwise not have a voice. He served for justice and for truth. He gave hope for the poor, disenfranchised, and disabled, who will replace him?
Posted by: Lisa | August 27, 2009 at 02:10 PM