Rep. Kennedy’s 1st Day a Family Affair
It was a family affair Tuesday as Joseph Kennedy took his seat as a member of the House of Representatives, the first of a new generation of Kennedys to serve in Congress.
Kennedy, 33, son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was joined by his uncle Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) as he stood in the back of the House chamber and cast a resounding voice vote in favor of the election of Jim Wright of Texas as Speaker.
Wright took over the Speaker’s post from the man whose seat Kennedy now holds, retired House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. (D-Mass.). Kennedy’s 8th District seat also was once held by his late uncle John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy’s twin sons sat with him in the House chamber during much of the formalities that opened the 100th Congress. His mother, Ethel, held an afternoon reception at her McLean, Va., home for the new congressman and about 150 supporters.
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