Patrick J Kennedy

Early life and education

Patrick Kennedy was born in Brighton, Massachusetts. He is the youngest of three children born to Senator Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (1932–2009) and musician/socialite/former model Virginia Joan Bennett (born 1936). His sister Kara (1960–2011) was a television and film producer while his brother Ted Jr. (born 1961) is a lawyer and member of the Connecticut State Senate. Patrick was named after his patrilineal great-grandfather, businessman and politician Patrick Joseph "P. J." Kennedy (1858–1929). Kennedy graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1986, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1991.

Rhode Island House of Representatives

While a junior at Providence College, Kennedy defeated five term incumbent John F. Skeffington Jr. for the Democratic nomination in District 9. Kennedy became the youngest member of the Kennedy family to hold elected office in 1988, when he won election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives at age 21. He served two terms in the House representing District 9 in Providence, Rhode Island. He chose not to run for a third term, and was succeeded by Anastasia P. Williams.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1994 Kennedy was elected as a Democrat to represent the 1st Congressional District of Rhode Island. He was reelected seven times, and served from January 3, 1995, to January 3, 2011 (the 104th to 111th Congresses).

In the House Kennedy served on the Armed Services and Natural Resources Committees before being appointed to the Appropriations Committee.

Kennedy was a founder of the Congressional Down Syndrome and 21st Century Healthcare Caucuses, and a vice chairman of the Native American Caucus. He also joined the House or Congressional: Boating Caucus; Caucus on Armenian Issues; Caucus on Hellenic Issues; Fire Services Caucus; Human Rights Caucus; Travel and Tourism Caucus; National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus; Portuguese American Caucus (co-chair); and Older American Caucus. He was a founder of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse, and chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for two years (1999-2001). During his tenure as DCCC chairman, Kennedy became a headliner at Democratic political events and fundraisers around the country.

Committee assignments

Political campaigns

Kennedy campaigned for the seat being vacated by U.S. Representative Ronald Machtley (who was retiring) in the 1994 Rhode Island 1st congressional district election. He won the election, defeating Republican candidate Kevin Vigilante. Kennedy was one of four Democrats in the 1994 congressional elections to win a congressional seat that had previously been held by a Republican, while Republicans gained dozens of seats to take over the U.S. House. He was reelected every two years from 1996 until 2008, and did not run for reelection in 2010.

In 2000 Kennedy considered running against Republican Lincoln Chafee in the U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island, but instead chose to run for reelection. Kennedy had recently won appointment to the House Appropriations Committee, a high-profile assignment that caused him to pass up the Senate race. He again considered running against Chafee in 2006, but instead chose to run for reelection.

Kennedy did not run for reelection in 2010, and completed his final term in January 2011. He finished his 8th term at the completion of the 111th United States Congress.

Post-congress advocacy

Since leaving Congress, Kennedy has publicly spoken about his long struggle with bipolar disorder and drug addiction, and become a leading advocate for increased mental healthcare in the United States.

Health care

Kennedy was a vocal advocate for health care reform. During his career, he joined with Republican U.S. Senator Pete Domenici from New Mexico in introducing legislation that places mental illness under the umbrella of health insurance.

He was a chief sponsor of one of the major pieces of legislation of 2008, the Mental Health Parity Act, a bill requiring most group health plans to provide coverage for the treatment of mental illnesses that is comparable to what they provide for physical illnesses.

He was a strong proponent of adding a comprehensive prescription-drug benefit to the U.S. Medicare and consistently opposed attempts to privatize the Medicare program. Kennedy also made numerous speeches advocating the reorientation of the U.S. health-care system to preventive care. He received numerous awards for his health-care advocacy, including the Lymphoma Research Foundation's Paul E. Tsongas Memorial Award as well as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Congressional Honors Award. He also received the Society for Neuroscience — Public Service Award (2002), Eli Lilly and Company 2003 Helping Move Lives Forward Reintegration Award, American Psychoanalytic Association 2003 President's Award, American Psychiatric Association Alliance award (2003), and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance — Paul Wellstone Mental Health Award (2003).

In a March 7, 2008, speech to the Cleveland City Club, Kennedy acknowledged having bipolar disorder and being a recovering alcoholic. He and his siblings have legal custody of their mother, who has long struggled with alcoholism. Kennedy is co-founder of One Mind for Research, which seeks to increase resources and efficiency in brain disorder research, and The Kennedy Forum, an organization focused on advancing the current ideas, policies, and programming in behavioral health known to be effective.

Kennedy was named to the Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis signed by Executive order on March 29, 2017. This commission serves the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

2008 presidential election

On January 28, 2008, Kennedy joined his father in endorsing Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, stating that Obama was the "perfect antidote to George Bush". Prior to that, Kennedy had joined his first cousin Timothy Shriver in endorsing U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd from Connecticut.

Use of alcohol and other drugs

Kennedy has acknowledged being treated for cocaine use during his teenage years, and admitted that he abused alcohol and other drugs while he was a student at Providence College. He sought treatment for an OxyContin addiction in 2006. Due to his experience with addiction, Kennedy has started to advocate against the legalization of marijuana.

Capitol Hill intoxicated-driving accident

On May 4, 2006, Kennedy crashed his automobile into a barricade on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., at 2:45 a.m. A United States Capitol Police official said the congressman had appeared intoxicated when he crashed his car, but Kennedy claimed that he was disoriented from the prescription medications Ambien and Phenergan. Anonymous sources are alleged to have seen Kennedy drinking at the nearby Hawk & Dove bar prior to the accident. Kennedy also stated to officers that he was "late for a vote". However, the last vote of the night had occurred almost six hours earlier. The standard field sobriety test was not administered, and Kennedy was driven home by an officer.

On May 5, 2006, Kennedy admitted that he had an addiction to prescription medication and announced he would be readmitting himself to a drug-rehabilitation facility at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where he had sought treatment for prior addictions. He has stated that he has no recollection of the car crash. On May 8, 2006, Kennedy got a show of support when he was endorsed by the Rhode Island Democratic Party. On June 5, 2006, Kennedy was released from drug rehabilitation.

On June 13, 2006, Kennedy made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He was sentenced to one-year probation and a fine of $350. Two of the three charges (reckless driving and failure to exhibit a driving permit) were dismissed. He was also ordered to attend a rehabilitation program that includes weekly urine tests, twice-weekly meetings with a probation officer, near-daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a weekly meeting of recovering addicts.

On Friday, June 12, 2009, Kennedy again announced that he had "checked into a medical facility for treatment". In a statement to the press, Kennedy said that his recovery is a "lifelong process" and that he would do whatever it takes to preserve his health. "I have decided to temporarily step away from my normal routine to ensure that I am being as vigilant as possible in my recovery", Kennedy said.

Political controversies

During a 1996 debate on a bill to repeal a ban on assault weapons, he was involved in a dispute with Republican Gerald B. H. Solomon. While arguing against repeal, he described his family's experience with gun violence, referring to uncles President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated by gunmen, and describing repeal as a "sham". In response, Solomon replied that his wife lived alone in rural upstate New York during the week, and ought to have a right to defend herself if need be. Continuing to argue away from the microphones on the House floor, Solomon said "let's just step outside" and settle the argument. The 29-year-old Kennedy declined to become involved in a physical altercation with the 66-year-old Solomon.

In 2003, Kennedy was criticized for saying "I don't need Bush's tax cut. I have never worked a fucking day in my life." His staff explained Kennedy's comment as a satirical argument against tax cuts for the wealthy, including him, some of whom have inherited their money.

In 2007, Kennedy stated that his campaign would retain $6,600 in donations from Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu, who had been convicted that year of a Ponzi scheme fraud. Kennedy was one of the few Democrats not to return or donate Hsu's contributions.

In February 2007, Kennedy was asked to refrain from receiving Holy Communion by his bishop, Thomas Tobin. Kennedy later said that the bishop had asked priests not to give him the sacrament "because of the positions that I’ve taken as a public official", particularly on abortion. Tobin acknowledged that he had requested Kennedy not to receive communion but not that he had asked priests to deny Kennedy the sacrament.

Kennedy criticized Republican Senator Scott Brown for demanding to be sworn in as a Senator as soon as the election results from the 2010 Massachusetts special senate election were certified: "Brown's whole candidacy was shown to be a joke today when he was sworn in early in order to cast his first vote as an objection to Obama's appointment to the NLRB." Senator Brown responded, "I was elected and the votes are certified and I’m here to do my job. It's unfortunate that he would use mean-spirited comments like that at a time when we’re just trying to solve the problems of the Commonwealth."

On March 10, 2010, Kennedy spoke regarding the war in Afghanistan, during a debate of a measure calling for the end of the war in Afghanistan. He yelled so loudly at times that he went hoarse until he was finally finished with his three-minute speech. He anticipated that some would object to his demand to withdraw from Afghanistan by claiming such withdrawal would dishonor those who have already fallen. His comment was, "Somewhere—I can't believe I even heard this—someone said 'Oh, I can't go to a funeral, and tell the parents of someone who just died that they lost their child in vain'. Somewhere, I heard that during the Vietnam War." After requesting an additional 30 seconds and being granted the time, Kennedy also went after the media for lack of coverage of the war, citing only two press members in the gallery at the time and "24/7" media coverage of the resignation of Eric Massa.

Personal life and family

His father, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, died on August 25, 2009. Patrick made a tearful eulogy at the funeral, saying that "He [Ted] would be very proud to see you all out here today paying a final respect and tribute to his memory". He further elaborated on his experiences with his father as a child, saying his father would stay at his bedside during his frequent bouts of ill health.

When Kennedy decided not to run for reelection in 2010, he cited his decision on the fact that his life "has taken a new direction". Mark Weiner, a major Democratic fundraiser in Rhode Island and one of Kennedy's top financial backers, said "It's tough to get up and go to work every day when your partner is not there, I think he just had a broken heart after his father passed away."

Kennedy now resides in Brigantine, New Jersey. In March 2011 he announced his engagement to sixth-grade history teacher Amy Savell (born c. 1975) (daughter of Jerry and Leni Savell). Amy has a daughter, Harper Petitgout (born c. 2008), from her previous marriage to Mark Petitgout. Kennedy and Savell married on July 15, 2011, in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Patrick and Amy have three children:

Honours