of assassinated President John F. Kennedy wasted no time in telling an adoring crowd at the 18,000-seat Pepsi Center he wouldn't have missed the occasion for the world.

"My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here and nothing -- nothing -- is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight," Kennedy declared.

"I have come here tonight to stand with you to change America -- to restore its future and to rise to our best ideals, and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States."

Kennedy invoked the spirit of president Kennedy during a barnstorming address, likening the modern-day challenges facing the United States to the 1960s space race, a bygone era of optimism and hope.

"When John Kennedy thought of going to themoon he didn't say 'It's too far to get there, we shouldn't even try.' Our people answered his call and rose to the challenge," Kennedy said.

Signing off, Kennedy reprised his famously searing speech to the 1980 Democratic Convention following his unsuccessful challenge to incumbent President Jimmy Carter.

"This November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans," he declared. "The work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on."

Kennedy had endorsed presumptive party nominee Obama during the primary campaign, introducing a frosty note into his relationship with Hillary Clinton.

An unapologetic liberal who recalls an era of roaring political rhetoric, Kennedy has nevertheless reached out to work with Republicans.

He remains a champion of causes such as health care, education and immigration reform, and