John Kerry got a first annual lifetime achievement from the Edward Kennedy Institute of the Senate

[karynnj]

John Kerry has been named the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston.
<snip>
Quoting her late husband, Victoria Reggie Kennedy says Kerry “understands that America’s strength comes from the power of our ideas.”

Kerry says the award is an honor “because of the vision and determination of Vicki and Ted’s entire family who carry that commitment forward.”

Former President Barack Obama said in a letter read at the event that Kerry made the U.S. more respected worldwide.

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/john-kerry-receives-award-from-edward-kennedy-institute/

On the website of the Edward Kennedy Institute, there are two wonderful videos - one they put together on Kerry, the other a testimonial from Joe Biden. The first video includes comments from many people, including Vanessa Kerry, Vicki Kennedy, and people like Howard Baker. Interesting how many speak of moral and persistent.
https://www.emkinstitute.org/resources/johnkerry

[MBS]

1. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award.

I'm so glad that he got this thoroughly deserved recognition! (But, FYI, the video included Jim Baker, not Howard Baker.)
Yes, persistence and integrity (and thoughtfulness, diplomatic creativity, and courage) are his hallmarks.

[Corey_Baker08]

2. He Deserves It & So Much More; JK Is My Hero...

Any video of JK's acceptance speech?

[karynnj]

3. CSPAN covered the event - the speeches of others and his speech are wonderful

https://www.c-span.org/video/?435336-1/john-kerry-receives-lifetime-achievement-award

As someone who cast their first ballot for McGovern, I can say that by election day 2004 - there was no vote that I was happier to cast and it was far more seeing how good Kerry was than wanting to get rid of Bush. Then over the next decade, I learned so much more and realize that he really is the best statesman of his generation.

In 2004, I could see he was a good man, eloquent and passionate on many important issues. The possibilities that might have been had he become President actually became stronger after seeing him as Secretary of State, where he accomplished at least two things that no one really thought possible - getting nearly 200 countries to agree to a climate accord and the Iran deal, which genuinely avoided a war that really would have happened. (One that the neocons, Netanyahu et al now crying crocodile tears over the protestors fought hard to get.) Imagine if that persistence, dedication, creativity, passion and intellect had the power of the presidency behind it.