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By JOHN E. MULLIGAN
Journal Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- More than 200 friends, family and associates are expected to join in the Capitol Thursday night to honor outgoing U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy for his work to fight mental illness and drug and alcohol addiction.
Kicking off the speaking program will be U.S.Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, who was among the closest friends of the Rhode Island Democrat's late father, U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat who is also retiring, played a big role in setting Patrick Kennedy on a path toward representing the state's 1st Congressional District for 16 years by steering him to his alma mater, Providence College. Kennedy was still a PC undergraduate when he became a candidate to represent the Mount Pleasant neighborhood in the General Assembly.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California is also on tap to speak at the Kennedy farewell, sponsored by a number of organizations in the mental health community.
Kennedy's longtime mentor in the House, former Democratic Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, and his Rhode Island colleague, Democratic Rep. Jim Langevin, will also address the gathering before the congressman makes his remarks.
Kennedy, a principal author of a 2008 law to improve the insurance coverage of mental illness, will receive an award for his efforts in the field. Kennedy, who for years has alluded to his own struggles with addiction and mental illness in speaking out for the cause of recovery, has said he plans to continue this work when he departs from public office at the end of this Congress.
