President Obama just delivered some kind words to Sen. Edward Kennedy before signing the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
“There are very few people who have touched the life of this nation in the same breadth or the same order of magnitude,” Obama said of the Massachusetts Democrat. “This is just an extraordinary day.”
UPDATE: Check out Kennedy’s full remarks after the jump.
Kennedy’s remarks, as prepared for delivery:
This is a wonderful day for our country, and for all Americans who will now have the opportunity to give back to their communities and to this nation we love so much.
Special thanks to Barbara Mikulski, who gave her heart and incredible leadership to bring us to this day. And to Orrin Hatch, our partner from the beginning, who helped us win broad bipartisan support.
To Senator Enzi, Chairman Miller and Congressman McKeon, all champions of the cause, we thank you.
And a very special thank you to all who serve. This bill was forged by you.
I will never forget the 5th anniversary of the Peace Corps where I sat with the very first group of volunteers. I asked each of them why they decided to get involved. They said it was the first time anyone asked them to do anything for their country.
Today, another young president has challenged another generation to give back to their country.
Last spring, at Wesleyan University, candidate Barack Obama summoned our nation to a new era of service. He said: