"I think one of the interesting things going on in the Middle East is the continuation of Hezbollah and the Iranian persistence in trying to disrupt not only the peace talks but the opportunities for Israel to exist in tranquility and progress," [Edward M. Kennedy] said. "It reminds us of the dangerous times that still exist for Israel and the Middle East. Hezbollah has absolutely no interest in the Middle East peace effort. And their presence adds an additional kind of burden that Israel has to contend with. Israel has the need to know it is getting firm support from the United States in order for it to take more chances for peace. Only with that kind of security can Israel take advantage of the new opportunities for a peaceful settlement to the conflicts that are now raging in the Middle East."

"I was tremendously impressed by Judge [Ruth Bader Ginsburg]," said Kennedy, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee which unanimously approved her nomination last week. "Not only does she have a powerful presence, and a powerful intellect, but she has an extraordinary sense of integrity. Her history is extremely important to her. Her grandparents came from persecution and prejudice. I was impressed with her response to my questions to her about issues of discrimination. She said, `I am very sensitized to discrimination. I grew up at the time of World War II in a Jewish family. I have memories as a child, even before the war, of being in the car with my parents and driving places...and there was a sign in front of a resort and it said, `No dogs or Jews allowed.' That existed in this country during my childhood: One couldn't help but be sensitive to discrimination, living as a Jew in America at the time of World War II.'"