Kennedy speechwriter was gifted, forever loyal

The recent passing of Ted Sorensen, John F. Kennedy's presidential speechwriter, ends an era. Sorensen was a brilliant speechwriter, responsible for JFK's 1961 inaugural speech, Kennedy's speech in Berlin, his passionate television remarks on race and civil rights strife in the South, among others.

Sorensen was always rumored to be the author of Kennedy's book, “Profiles of Courage,” but, not so. Kennedy wrote the book himself.

Sorensen, a Nebraskan, joined Kennedy in his Senate office and was extremely valuable to him in the 1960 campaign against Richard Nixon. Kennedy trusted him and liked Ted's ability to cut through an issue and frame it with perspective language that tracked well with Kennedy's impetus for the New Frontier.

Sorensen resumed a law practice in New York after President Kennedy's death and worked in a variety of capacities in law and public relations. He remained active with the Kennedy Presidential Library on numerous guest forums, a loyal Kennedy man to the end.

Cort Stapleton

Cedar Rapids