Robert F. Kennedy was a great deal of help to his brother John during his presidential campaign. In 1961, after the election, he was appointed U.S. Attorney General. He fought crime in the United States and stood up for African American civil rights, helping them exercise their right to vote, attend integrated schools and use all public facilities. On November 22, 1963 his brother, President Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Robert F. Kennedy resigned as Attorney General shortly after and, in 1964, ran successfully for the United States Senate from New York. He created programs for underprivileged children and students with disabilities in New York State. Kennedy loved children and cared for their well-being. He and his wife Ethel had 11 children who would often visit him at work. He worked to make sure all children could obtain a good education, a decent place to live and had enough food to eat.
In 1968, Robert F. Kennedy ran for president. His candidacy inspired thousands of young people across the country to get involved in politics and brought together people of many different races. Unfortunately, on June 5, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed by Sirhan Sirhan while leaving a campaign event in Los Angeles, California through the hotel kitchen, despite being advised to avoid the kitchen by his bodyguard. In 2008, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Kennedy, the New York State Assembly voted to rename the Triborough Bridge in New York City the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge in honor of the former New York Senator. Robert F. Kennedy was not afraid to go after criminals who broke the law, especially those who hurt others or did not respect the rights of other citizens because they were of a different race. He believed all people were born with basic human rights that must be protected.
"We must recognize the full human equality of all of our people. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do."
Robert F. Kennedy
Day of Affirmation Address
University of Capetown, South Africa
June 6, 1966
