Retiring Rep. Joe Kennedy says greed hinders aid to needy

WASHINGTON — Retiring Rep. Joe Kennedy III used his farewell speech from Congress on Wednesday to deride the "great lie of our times" that the government lacks the resources and will to help people in need. He said the real problem is greed, not scarcity.

Speaking for five minutes on the House floor, Kennedy, D-Mass., called his four terms in Congress an honor and said he was departing "proud and hopeful."

But the only remaining member in Congress of the vaunted Kennedy political dynasty also said the U.S. was "a complicated and messy country." He said it had "violated our founding promises before the ink was dry," citing slavery and rights that initially applied largely to "rich, white and Protestant men."

Kennedy, 40, said the country was gradually making progress, saying, "Our arc isn't clean, but it is clear."

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