president kennedy s vision of service and of american leadership, that i think that really kept him alive. reporter: jfk s great nephew, joseph kennedy iii is serving in congress, where he s taking up health care, the signature cause of his great-uncle, senator ted kennedy. i was struck by a comment made by speaker ryan, where he called the repeal bill, quote, an act of mercy. with all due respect to our speaker, he and i must have read different scripture. the one i read called us on to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to shelter the homeless, and comfort the sick. reporter: and on the campaign trail now is chris kennedy, john f. kennedy s brother bobby s son. he launched his campaign for illinois governor in february by invoking his family s legacy. to embrace the notion that we re all in this together. that our country is the land of opportunity. that s the country i want for my kids. reporter: and who knows? even younger kennedys may be eyeing public office, too. jfk