News
Crowley Connection to Camelot
Posted: Aug 28, 2009 6:26 AM
Updated: Aug 28, 2009 6:26 AM
Crowley residents have a unique connection to the late Senator Ted Kennedy. His widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy is a Crowley-native, but the connections go back even further.
Back in October 1959, then U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy spoke in Crowley before the largest crowd he saw before winning the Presidency. The future President was invited to the Rice Fest by Judge Edmund Reggie, a political ally with whom he formed a friendship while at the 1956 Democratic convention, where JFK was being considered for Vice-President.
"Long story short, the Democratic party pushed for another candidate, but Judge Reggie pushed for Kennedy and back then John F. Kennedy was not a big name," said Reggie family friend John Gotto.
Beyond JFK's ill-fated presidency, the Reggie's and Kennedy's stayed close, a friendship that became a family affair in the early 1990's. That's when JFK's youngest brother Senator Ted Kennedy married Reggie's daughter Victoria.
Dr. Cason de la Houssaye, a Reggie family friend, met Senator Kennedy on a number of occasions.
"I can remember him vividly as being friendly, very much at home in Crowley, he liked the people in Crowley, he liked people period."
The Reggie family released a statement Wednesday saying they are devastated by the loss of Senator Kennedy, and asked the press to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
KATC.com is Social!
KATC Videos
Comments