The Serve America national service bill was named in honor of Ted Kennedy, "the godfather of the service movement," shown here with President Obama.

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Please share your tributes, memories, thoughts about the life and death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy by adding your comment below.

See David Cohen's tribute to Kennedy

President Barack Obama:
For nearly five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives - in seniors who know new dignity; in families that know new opportunity; in children who know education's promise; and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just, including me.

Lester Strong, CEO, Experience Corps:
On April 21, the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act became the most inclusive and comprehensive national service legislation signed into law in America's history, making national service accessible for millions of Americans including those who have finished their midlife careers. Sen. Kennedy recognized that older Americans offer the precious gifts of time, expertise and wisdom as they give back to society.

Alan Khazei, founder and CEO, Be the Change:
Senator Kennedy is the true godfather of the service movement. Without his tireless commitment, this movement as it thrives today never would have come about. He indelibly changed the fabric of America by not just inspiring, but personally enabling millions of citizens to give their time and skills to improve their communities and country. Through his visionary and bipartisan leadership in authoring the National and Community Service Act of 1990, the legislation that created AmeriCorps in 1993, and most recently with his good friend Senator Orrin Hatch, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009, he created the infrastructure that empowers people all across our nation to put their energy and idealism to work addressing critical social needs.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.):
No one will ever be able to fill his shoes, but we must honor his extraordinary legacy by continuing his life's work. The most fitting tribute we could give Senator Kennedy is to carry on his fight for a quality education for all our children, affordable health care that families can rely on, an economy that works for everyone and equal rights for all our citizens.