The young counsel was unable to continue working in the environment he found himself in, knowing that many of the allegations made were untrue and he resigned from the committee after a well publicized confrontation with Cohn resulted in the pair having to be separated to prevent a physical fight. Jack had been against him taking this role in the first place as he felt the notoriety could only harm Bobby's reputation and it seems he was right. His time on this committee was one of the aspects of his life that Bobby would have difficulty explaining in the years ahead.

In 1955 Bobby became chief counsel on a Senate Subcommittee that was investigating corruption. It was at this time that Bobby would come face to face with Organized Crime and from here his relentless prosecution began. By 1956 Bobby began investigations into the labour unions. Unfortunately for him, just as he began his new role, family loyalty was called on again as Jack made a bid for the Vice Presidential nomination at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. Once more Bobby had to put aside his own ambition and fly out to Chicago to begin the thankless job of canvassing for votes to help put his brother in office. Jack narrowly lost the nomination but in the process had established himself in the nations awareness as a name for the future.

Bobby returned to his own investigations into organised crime, singling out the countries largest union, the Teamsters. He gathered people around him who had experience in these investigation mainly reporters and former FBI Agents. Together they began a series of investigations into the teamster's president Dave Beck. They set about tracing Beck's money back to union funds and armed with this evidence Bobby approached Senator John McClellan the chairman of the Sub-committee. McClellan was impressed with Bobby's enthusiasm and his findings and set up what was known as the Rackets Committee.

Despite his obvious concerns for his reputation and against their fathers wishes Jack encouraged by Bobby joined the committee. Jack conscious as ever of votes he would require in 1960 did not want to alienate hundreds of union members but he agreed to serve on the committee. Jack may well have been concerned for his brother also aware as he was of Bobby's propensity to pick fights. As he was on the committee he would to be near enough to his brother to be able to rein him in where necessary.

In the middle of the hearings Jimmy Hoffa, the man waiting to take Dave Beck's place as president of the teamsters, was duped into making a bribe. This act caught on film by the FBI was enough to have him arrested and charged. Bobby Kennedy was delighted, confident that not alone would he get Beck, he would have the more dangerous Jimmy Hoffa.
The two men had taken an immediate dislike to each other at their initial meeting and Bobby was intent on making Hoffa his next target.

Throughout Beck's Prosecution he invoked the Fifth Amendment time and again much to the chief counsels disgust. In spite of this Bobby had done his homework and with the evidence he had accumulated against Beck it was enough to convict him and send him to prison.

Jimmy Hoffa's trial for bribery came next but despite the sting operation that had brought Hoffa to the courtroom, through careful manipulation he evaded prosecution.
Incensed Bobby Kennedy became more anxious than ever to take on the new Teamsters president. Diligently Bobby and his team worked on preparing their case finally calling Hoffa to the hearings for a much-publicised showdown.
The tapes of these meetings make for very interesting viewing as even now it is possible to feel the tension and sense the animosity between the two men.

The room was filled with people all anticipating the confrontation to come. Bobby though at first somewhat nervous, soon found his edge as Hoffa mocked him referring to him disrespectfully as Bob. Hoffa refused to answer each question put to him saying that he had no recollection of the events. The two men clearly loathing each other would have monosyllabic conversations, staring at the other, defying one to look away first. This continued day after day with Hoffa insolently answering or not answering Bobby's questions.

The more that Bobby Kennedy saw of Jimmy Hoffa the more convinced he was that this man was responsible for murder and mayhem, not just money laundering and embezzlement as had been Dave Beck's crime. Bobby's unfailing commitment to his case saw him working twenty-hour days, sometimes not even returning home. Hoffa was to hear about the long hours Kennedy put into the investigation and realising that Kennedy had turned his car around after seeing lights in the Teamsters offices on his way home one night, thereafter ensured that they were left on each night just to goad Bobby.

Despite all of his careful prosecutions they could not convict Hoffa of any of the alleged crimes. Bobby though desperately disappointed never rested for a moment, he was determined to continue with his investigations and felt a deep sense of satisfaction when police came across a large group of mob leaders meeting at an annual convention. Vindicated in his investigations,for the first time the extent of the mafia became clear to everyone. Bobby continued his investigations by calling these alleged mobsters to the witness stand. Throughout his time on the committee and with the support of Jack beside him, his style had become more confident. He was an able prosecutioner, sharp and direct, with a withering look intended to make the witnesses extremely uncomfortable. When each of the mobsters pleaded the Fifth Amendment he fixed them with a long mocking stare ensuring they were aware of his contempt.

These hearings did much to enhance the public image of the two young Kennedy brothers. While Jack took more of a back seat role, he nevertheless was pleased with the plaudits and accolades received from the media. All the major newspapers and magazines of the day covered the hearings and the brothers made the front covers of both Time and Life magazines. All this attention could only benefit Jack in the run up to the next election. Though Jack shone as a polished charismatic politician, Bobby appeared as a crusader, morally courageous, unwilling to accept corruption on any level. On a personal level this was a happy time for Bobby. As his confidence and self-belief grew, so too did his family and despite the increasing numbers of children and animals taking residence at Hickory Hill, each day his wife Ethel sat in the chamber listening to her husband devotedly.

The investigations were to go further than anyone had ever anticipated in uncovering organised crime; Bobby was to subpoena such high profile mob figures as Sam Giancana, Santos Trafficante and Carlos Marcello. For the first time in the history of the United States mob figures were being exposed and though the committee was unable to convict Hoffa or the above, they brought verdicts against many corrupt union officials.

Another significant aspect of this time was Bobby's ability to form lasting relationships on professional and personal levels. Throughout the years of the investigations Bobby had gathered a very large staff to work with him. In spite of the long hours and poor pay his staff were unfailingly loyal and devoted to him. Each of these staff members dedicated their time and energy to help in his quest while he in turn was respectful and appreciative of their hard work. He repaved their loyalty and devotion and was to become a valued friend and confidant of many of these people for the remainder of his life. Bobby for all his outward toughness and ruthless characteristics was a deeply emotional and passionate man who hid behind the image he had created for himself allowing few to see the softer side he struggled to keep hidden.

Bobby Kennedy was a man with a strong moral character, he believed in good and evil, right and wrong for him was a basic and fundamental part of life. If he believed strongly that something was wrong he was prepared to stand up and fight to put it right. His feelings toward the union officials and mob bosses were those of utter disdain and contempt as he became more aware of their shady business ventures and more worryingly their way of dealing with problems. The boyish part of his character was intrigued by the mob hits, the disposal of witnesses, the double crosses, money laundering etc but his moralistic sense was appalled by the life of the 'mafia'.
For him they were evil and justice needed to be meted out. As with all the passions in his life he had approached this with drive and determination, the tenacious part of his personality persevering where someone else would have surrendered.

This particular investigation was worrying for his father, who with alleged mob connections of his own worried for his sons.He knew many of the men Bobby was calling for testimony and feared that his own name could be bandied about causing embarrassment to Jack in the future when this sort of information would be gold dust in an opponent's hand.
Despite his fears Bobby refused to be swayed, continuing in his role as chief counsel until once more family duty called and he resumed his position as campaign manager for Jacks presidential aspirations.
For all intents and purposes it looked as though Bobby Kennedy's persecution of the mafia was at an end, it wasn't and their hiatus was to be very temporary.

Bobby slipped back into his role of dutiful brother, fulfilling the demands of both his father and brother. Working doggedly to ensure that the campaign had structure and organisation, he badgered the staff constantly until the operation ran smoothly.
His determination and resolve in everything he did made a big impression on both his father and his brother and his willingness to sacrifice his own ambitions was admired and respected throughout the family.

Jacks successful campaign and subsequent securing of the nomination brought jubilation to the family. For them the contest was over, Jack would win. Bobby and Jack were aware that the hard work was to come and they set out to market the candidate across the country under every guise possible.

On the night of the election while Jack went to bed not aware of the final outcome of the election, Bobby sat beside the phones and the TV monitoring each return not leaving until he knew that victory was beyond doubt.

With pride in his heart he watched Jack give his victory speech the next morning at the Hyannis Port Armory. He felt content to sit back and watch Jack bask in the glory. Unsure of where he would go from here, he began to think about his options. But once again as in so much of his life his father was making the decision for him. Joe Kennedy despite advice to the contrary was insisting that Bobby be made Attorney General. Jack sensitive to criticism at any time was all too aware that the cries of nepotism would be heard throughout the land and he tried to argue with his father. His arguments falling on deaf ears he asked his friends speak with the former Ambassador saying that with no practising legal experience Bobby was an unsuitable choice. But Joe Kennedy was determined to get his way as he had been for all his life. Knowing when he was beaten Jack very doubtfully prepared to make the announcement to the papers. It must be said that Bobby had the same grave reservations as Jack about the appointment feeling he was unqualified. They understood their father's entreaties that they would at least have each other to count on but their true working partnership was still untried at this time.

As fate would have it their worries were completely unfounded, as Bobby would turn out to be a very fine Attorney General. Deeply committed to his work, he set out to make a difference and this he did. He became involved in many programmes and his work on behalf of the Civil Rights movement and his deep commitment to changes in the segregation laws became one of his most personal crusades. He pushed his brother hard on these issues not content to sit back and let things take their course. He wanted the President to be at the forefront of all these radical changes and be seen to be pro-active in the face of adversity. He assembled a large group of advisers around him who were passionate about Civil Rights and had them meet with the leaders of the movement frequently in a show of support. He was horrified at the television images of the police turning fire hoses on children in Mississippi and felt guilt and anger when his colleague and friend John Siegenthaler was injured during the Freedom Rides.

Civil Rights was not the only issue that consumed him. Immediately after assuming his position he returned to his old enemy, Organised Crime. Determined to continue his persecution of the mob leaders, he assembled a large staff employed solely to investigate the illegal activities of these mafia dons. If they thought they were having a respite they were about to release it would be brief. He attacked the problem with zeal remaining up to date on each new finding and taking staff briefings daily on new information that came to light.

Throughout the course of the Presidency he showed his worth more and more to his brother, as he became the only person unafraid to voice an unpopular opinion. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Jack throughout the disaster that was the Bay of Pigs and later The Cuban Missile Crisis, the racism issue and Vietnam, he was unstinting in his support and loyalty.

The brothers had developed their own language, speaking in clipped tones, never finishing a sentence and always tuned into the others thoughts. Jack came to appreciate what an effective manager and confidant his brother was. Bobby had in effect become the second most powerful man in Washington, a position that rankled the Vice President Lyndon Johnson who felt the younger brother had usurped him and that his role was now inconsequential.

Throughout the three short years of the Presidency both Jack and Bobby had stamped their authority on the White House and Justice Department. They had built a loyal and trusted staff around them and were determined to continue in the work they had planned in the five years ahead. They looked ahead and as proud as they were of their achievements, they were conscious of the work ahead. Determined to make a difference they wanted to initiate a War on Poverty, put a man on the moon before the end of the decade and help heal the rifts in the country regarding the race issue. All this work was ahead of them along with their dreams and aspirations when an assassin's bullet robbed them of the future they had planned for.

Bereft and grieving deeply Bobby struggled through the remainder of his term as Attorney General. A shadow of his former self he lacked the will and the strength to continue at that time. Out of the darkness came the realisation that he had to do something with his life and finally after much soul searching he threw his name into the Senate race in New York.

Despite a lacklustre campaign he won the election, taking his place in the Senate beside his younger brother Ted. Stifled by the slow pace of the Senate he was impatient to make his mark. Moved by the plight of the poor, he took this cause to his heart and with his customary zeal began to work on making a difference. He continued to support the civil rights movement believing absolutely in total desegregation. Throughout the four years of his Senate career he maintained his absolute devotion to his brothers memory and fought his battles in Jacks name. His loneliness and pain gave him a vulnerability that inspired others and he would become one of the most popular political figures in history. People felt for him aware, as they were that he found parts of his career difficult, they sympathised with his nerves as they watched him make speeches throughout the country.

All the while his family, friends, peers and indeed the country were preparing themselves for the 1968 elections where they were confident he would reclaim the throne of his late brother. Though he hesitated and seemed unwilling to take on the President in a war of words over Vietnam, the inevitability of his situation led him into the race. His campaign was a frenzied affair as the surging crowds that turned out to greet him pulled his clothes and hair to pieces. He was a symbol of hope and in the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jrs assassination people reached out to him, confident that he could make a difference.

Even with the hype and hysteria he was aware that he had a fight on his hands. His opponent Eugene McCarthy having started earlier than Bobby had stolen away many of the young people who would ordinarily have been in Bobby's camp.
But his endless campaigning was working and as faced the issues of the day including racism and Vietnam he moved quickly through the towns in an effort to meet as many prospective voters as possible. Thoroughly exhausted he had been doing well in the primaries and it looked as though he would win the nomination if he took California.

That night in California Bobby Kennedy's life's work came to a tragic end as he was gunned down leaving the hotel following his victory speech. With him died his hopes for a better future in a less complicated world. Though he had never achieved his true potential, he made a difference to many people in many different ways and is still revered throughout the world in a way that captures the imagination thirty-four years after his untimely death.