Patrick J. Kennedy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the current member of the United States House of Representatives.
For his great-grandfather, Patrick J. Kennedy, see P. J. Kennedy.
For other persons named Patrick Kennedy, see Patrick Kennedy (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with his cousin Joseph Patrick Kennedy II
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Patrick J. Kennedy
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Ronald Machtley |
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| Born | July 14, 1967 Brighton, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | none |
| Residence | Portsmouth, Rhode Island |
| Alma mater | Providence College |
| Occupation | Congressman |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Patrick Kennedy |
Patrick Joseph Kennedy II (born July 14, 1967 in Brighton, Massachusetts) is the son of United States Senator Ted Kennedy and Joan Bennett Kennedy, as well as the nephew of both President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. A Democrat, he serves in the United States House of Representatives, representing the first district of Rhode Island (map).
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[edit] Career
Patrick J. Kennedy became the youngest member of the Kennedy political family to hold elected office in 1988, when he won election to the Rhode Island State Assembly at age 21.
In November 1994, Patrick defeated Republican Kevin Vigilante for the first district in the United States House of Representatives, and continues to hold this office. He was one of four Democrats in the 1994 election to take a congressional seat that had just been held by a Republican, while Republicans gained dozens of seats to take over the House. Kennedy currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and on Science, State, Justice and Commerce. From 1999 to 2001, he served as Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Kennedy twice considered running against Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee, in 2000 and 2006. In the 2000 Senate recruiting phase, Dick Gephardt moved Kennedy to the House Appropriations Committee, a high profile assignment that led Kennedy to pass up the Senate opportunity for 2000.
[edit] Congressional committee assignments
[edit] Personal life
He is unmarried and resides in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
He graduated from Phillips Andover and earned a B.S. from Providence College in 1991.[1]
In 2005 Kennedy and LL Cool J made a surprise visit to Shea High School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. They made a speech about the future and academics, and later signed autographs for students and faculty.[citation needed]
[edit] Issues and accomplishments
The main issue for which Kennedy advocates is more efficient and better health care coverage. He is a strong proponent of adding a comprehensive prescription drug benefit to Medicare and has consistently opposed attempts to privatize the Medicare program. Kennedy has also made numerous speeches advocating the reorientation of the American health care system to preventative care. He has received numerous awards for his health care advocacy, including being named the recipient of the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Paul E. Tsongas Memorial Award as well as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation Congressional Honors Award.[citation needed]
[edit] Controversies
Kennedy has acknowledged being treated for cocaine use during his teenage years, and admitted that he abused drugs and alcohol while he was a student at Providence College.[2] He sought treatment for an OxyContin addiction in 2006.[3]
In 2000, Kennedy was accused of pushing a security guard at LAX. City prosecutors ultimately decided not to bring criminal charges against him and he paid an undisclosed civil settlement to the alleged victim almost two years later.[4]
In 2000, Atlantic Navigation Company of Mystic, Connecticut claimed that a boat they rented to Kennedy was found abandoned off Martha's Vineyard with $28,000 worth of damage.[5]
The same year, the Coast Guard was dispatched to Kennedy's yacht after he and his date became embroiled in an argument on his yacht off Martha's Vineyard.[6][dead link]
In 2003, Kennedy was criticized for saying "I have never worked a fucking day in my life," which his staff later claimed was a satirical reference to repeated charges of never having worked.[7]
In 2007, the Kennedy camp stated that they would retain $6,600 in donations from convicted Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu. Kennedy is one of the few Democrats not to return or donate these contributions. This is a controversial action because of the allegation that Hsu had been using his personal funds to unfairly influence Washington.[8]
[edit] Capitol Hill impaired driving accident
On May 4, 2006, Kennedy crashed his 1997 Ford Mustang convertible into a barricade on Capitol Hill at 2:45AM. An FOP official said the congressman had appeared intoxicated when he crashed his car, but Kennedy claimed that he was merely disoriented from prescription medications Ambien and Phenergan.[9] Anonymous sources are alleged to have seen Kennedy drinking at the nearby Hawk & Dove bar prior to the accident.[10][11] 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 re-admitting himself to a drug rehabilitation facility at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where he has sought treatment for prior addictions.[12] 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.[13] On June 5, 2006 Kennedy was released from drug rehab.[14]
After being asked if he expected any special treatment from authorities, Kennedy expressed that he hoped they would treat him as if he "were an African-American in Anacostia".[15] On June 13, 2006, Kennedy made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs.[16] 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 [17].
On Friday, June 12, 2009, Kennedy once again announced that "he has 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 will 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. He did not disclose where he was being treated.
Kennedy, who has wrestled with alcoholism, bipolar disorder, an addiction to prescription drugs and bouts of binge drinking, has often spoken publicly about his recovery and the importance of removing any stigma associated with mental illnesses. He has been a leading voice in Congress on mental health issues.
"I hope that in some small way my decision to be proactive and public in my efforts to remain healthy can help remove the stigma that has served as a barrier for many Americans reluctant to get the help they needed," he said.
[edit] Rhode Island accident
In an earlier incident, on April 15, 2006, Kennedy was driving a Ford Crown Victoria registered to the "Friends of Pat Kennedy Inc" on Turnpike Avenue in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. As Kennedy attempted to turn left into a CVS parking lot, his vehicle struck a Nissan Maxima driven by off duty Coast Guard warrant officer Thomas Guthlein who was attempting to make a right turn into the same parking lot. Portsmouth Rhode Island police did not issue a citation to either driver.[19] One woman who witnessed the accident has expressed her opinion that Kennedy was impaired, but this has never been proven. Kennedy's handwriting on the police report was messy.[20] Guthlein is quoted in the New York Daily News as saying 'I never really got that close to him ... It was just a regular traffic accident'.
[edit] Advocacy
[edit] Health care
Kennedy is a vocal advocate for quality health care. He has joined with Senator Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) in introducing legislation that places mental illness under the umbrella of health insurance. Among the rewards received on behalf of his work include the Society for Neuroscience — Public Service Award (2002), Eli Lilly and Company 2003 Helping Move Lives Forward Reintegration Awards, 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 admitted to having bipolar disorder and being a recovering alcoholic. He and his siblings have legal custody of their mother, Joan Bennett Kennedy, who has long struggled with alcoholism.
[edit] 2008 presidential election
On January 28, 2008, Kennedy joined his father Ted Kennedy in endorsing Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, stating that Obama was the "perfect antidote to George Bush."[21] Prior to that, Kennedy had joined cousin Tim Shriver in endorsing Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "KENNEDY, Patrick Joseph - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=K000113. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ "Approval Ratings Fall for Rhode Island Rep. Kennedy". Fox News. 2001-04-19. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,11637,00.html.
- ^ "Rep. Kennedy: I Was Hooked on OxyContin". San Francisco Chronicle News. 2007-03-16. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/n/a/2007/03/16/national/a063517D16.DTL&o=0.
- ^ "Approval Ratings Fall for Rhode Island Rep. Kennedy". Fox News. 2001-04-19. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,11637,00.html.
- ^ "Boat woes nothing new for Rep. Kennedy". WTNH. 2000-11-15. http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=176192.
- ^ Miga, Andrew (2003-06-28). "`I HAVE NEVER WORKED A (BLEEPIN) DAY IN MY LIFE'; Patrick K patches up comment". Associated Press. http://www.intellisearchnow.com/pwrpub_view.scml?ppa=6iiqx%60ZeinljqrTVgb}GL}bfeiZm.
- ^ "Washington Wrap". CBS News. 2003-06-27. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/06/30/politics/main561032.shtml.
- ^ "Arrest Warrant Issued For Fugitive Fundraiser Hsu". KTVU News. 2007-09-04. http://www.ktvu.com/news/14046563/detail.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ Miga, Andrew (5 May 2006). "Police Report Filed in Kennedy Car Crash". Associated Press. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/05/05/D8HDNF981.html.
- ^ Wedge, Dave (5 May 2006). "Pat cites pills in car wreck". Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=137995.
- ^ Wedge, Dave (12 May 2006). "Cops told Pat K was at watering hole before crash". Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=138953.
- ^ Miga, Andrew (5 May 2006). "Rep. Patrick Kennedy to Enter Drug Rehab". Associated Press. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/05/AR2006050500520.html.
- ^ Mayerowitz, Scott (9 May 2006). "Kennedy gets support from Democratic Party". The Providence Journal. http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20060509_dems9.1292646a.html.
- ^ Lewis, Richard (5 June 2006). "Rep. Kennedy released from drug rehab clinic". Reuters. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060605/us_nm/kennedy_dc.
- ^ McAuliff, Michael (6 June 2006). "Treat me like I'm black, sez Teddy's son". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/424089p-357769c.html.
- ^ Miga, Andrew (13 June 2006). "Patrick Kennedy pleads guilty to DUI". The Associated Press. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060613/ap_on_go_co/patrick_kennedy.
- ^ Akers, Mary Ann (2006-06-13). "Life After Fender Bender". Roll Call. http://rollcall.com/issues/52_5/hoh/14255-1.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
- ^ [Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gXwb8a7fVyybsKUF2krsKTf0yypAD98P47900] AP:Rep. Patrick Kennedy again receiving treatment. By ANDREW MIGA
- ^ Portsmouth Rhode Island Police Accident Report #06-157-AC
- ^ Saltzman, Jonathan (May 6, 2006). "Kennedy's behavior, driving is questioned by eyewitness". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/05/06/kennedys_behavior_driving_is_questioned_by_eyewitness/.
- ^ "Patrick Kennedy to join father in endorsing Obama for president". Boston Globe. 2008-01-28. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/28/kennedys_to_endorse_barack_obama_for_president/. Retrieved on 2008-02-28.
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, official U.S. House site
- Patrick J. Kennedy for U.S. Congress, official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Congressional profile at GovTrack.us
- Patrick J. Kennedy at the Internet Movie Database
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
| United States House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by Ronald Machtley |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 1st congressional district 1995 – present |
Incumbent |
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