Senator Kennedy greets the CIW’s Lucas Benitez during last year’s hearing on farmworker exploitation in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committtee.

Yesterday, farmworkers across the country lost a true friend. The Coalition issued this statement:

“Sin duda alguna hoy hemos perdido un gran lider del senado y de esta nación. Siempre usó su voz y su poder para dar aliento a las causas justas de los mas necestidados no solamente en los Estados Unidos pero alrededor del mundo. Hoy la gran comunidad de trabajadores agricolas de Immokalee hemos perdido un aliado, pero nos deja su legado de compromiso y perseverancia para lograr lo que uno se propone para hacer un mundo mas justo para todos. No podemos pensar en un reconocimiento mas apropiado de que el bil de salud por cual el tanto lucho en su últimos dias sea firmado y nombrado en honor a el. Hoy unimos nuestros pensamientos y nuestras oraciones junto a su familia y amigos para que Dios le de el descanso eterno. Descanse en paz, Edward.”

— Lucas Benitez y Romeo Ramirez, laureados del 2003 del Premio RFK por los Derechos Humanos, y todos los miembros de la Coalición de Trabajadores de Immokalee

“There is no doubt that today we have lost one of the great leaders of the Senate and this nation. He always used his voice and position to give strength to the just causes of those in greatest need, not just in the United States but around the world. Today the community of farmworkers in Immokalee has lost a great ally, but one who left us with his legacy of commitment and perseverance to continue fighting until we’ve achieved a more just world. We can think of no more appropriate recognition of his life’s work than that the health care bill for which he fought so hard in his last days be voted into law and named in his honor. Today we join with his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers in hoping that God grants him eternal rest. May you rest in peace, Edward.”

— 2003 RFK Human Rights Awards laureates Lucas Benitez and Romeo Ramirez and the members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers