Sen. Ted Kennedy | 08/26/2009 8:50 am
Sen. Edward Kennedy Dies at Age of 77
After a year-long battle with brain cancer, ‘the lion of the Senate’ and an American political icon dies; family calls him the ‘irreplaceable center of our family’
© AP
We woke up today to learn of the loss of a great American. Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy, known as "the lion of the Senate," has died at the age of 77 after a battle with brain cancer. He died last night at his home in Cape Cod, MA.
"We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the family said in the statement. "We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all."
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Click below to read our Contributors reflections on Ted Kennedy:
Liz Smith: Remembering Two Great Lions
Ted Kennedy: Fan of Universal Health Care and Compromise, by Liz Peek
He Wasn’t ‘Just’ Ted Kennedy, by Joan Juliet Buck
Margo Howard: ‘Here’s to You, Teddy’
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President Barack Obama said of the late Democrat, "An important chapter in our history has come to an end … Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."
Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle reacted with great sadness to today’s news, yet also with admiration for a man known for fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves, whether it be on health care or other issues. From The Boston Globe:
He became a Democratic titan of Washington who fought for the less fortunate, who crafted unlikely deals with conservative Republicans and who ceaselessly sought support for universal health coverage. ‘Teddy,’ as he was known to intimates, constituents and even his fiercest enemies, was an unwavering symbol to the left and the right — the former for his unapologetic embrace of liberalism, and latter for his value as a political target.
USA Today has a story about how both of Kennedy’s wives, Joan and, later, Vicki, stood by his side throughout his political career.
The senator’s death comes less than two weeks after his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, died. Two of Ted Kennedy’s brothers, John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, were assassinated, and another brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., was killed in 1944 on a World War II bombing mission. His nephew, John F. Kennedy Jr., died ten years ago in a tragic plane crash.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family as they endure this difficult time. The late senator will be immensely missed on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Read more about: Barack Obama, Brain Cancer, Chappaquiddick, Death, Eunice Shriver, Kennedy Family, Mary Jo Kopechne, News, Politics, Sen. Edward Kennedy, senate, Ted Kennedy, U.S.
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97 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
He carried the torch for so long; loving and caring for Jack and Bobby’s children and for the people of America. Our country is a better place for having Ted Kennedy in it. "and choirs of angels take thee to thy rest". Our memories are strong and long, you will not be forgotten. Thank you for your service.
Tributes, Remembrances, The Works and Legacy of Ted Kennedy
Allies and Adversaries React to Kennedy’s Death By James Barron
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/27react.html?th&emc=th
President Obama
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27kennedy.html?th&emc=th
After Grim Diagnosis Determined to Make a "Good Ending" By Mark Leibovich
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27year.htmlth&emc=th
Loss of Health Care Champion Creates Uncertainty By Carl Hulse and katherine Q. Seelye
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27health.html?th&emc=th
Video Defining The Kennedy Health Care Legacy
http://nytimes.com/video/2009/08/26/us/politics/1247464237/defining-the-kennedy-health-care-legacy.html?th&emc=th
Helen Moran , your words are beautiful, "Ted Kennedy, flawed, imperfect and Magnificent." My exact sentiments.
My brother said something interesting. He said, Ted Kennedy as a younger man made some bad choices. However, God forgives and he was given a second chance. He took that second chance and his performance of service to humanity was the result. He never took life nor anyone for granted. He gave himself in-service to the American people and humanity worldwide. This ends a great era. I pray the torch he lit catches fire and continues.
L.C. Thank you for your kind words. I agree with you and your brother, if you live past 20 years old you make mistakes. Its what you do after making the mistakes that counts. I can’t imagine have the whole world watching you fail, commentating on your behavior and shing a light on you all the time. Weaker people would have curled up and avoided other people. Not Ted Kennedy. He made his life count for something. In the end, that’s all we can do. Make our lives count. The average peron in this country just lost one of their greatest champions. Being Irish myself, Saturday will be a lot of tears, some laughs, friends and some alcohol. In other words a real Irish wake.
Sad, the passing of Kennedy. I think his legacy will be his ability to reach across the aisle to hammer out legislation that has benefitted millions of Americans.
To anyone who hasn’t seen it, I recommend finding and watching the address made by Ted Kennedy Jr. and his dad’s funeral. It was so moving an so beautifully delivered.
Also, here is an excerpt from President Obama’s eulogy for Senator Kennedy:
"Through his own suffering, Ted Kennedy became more alive to the plight and suffering of others - the sick child who could not see a doctor; the young soldier sent to battle without armor; the citizen denied her rights because of what she looks like or who she loves or where she comes from. The landmark laws that he championed — the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, immigration reform, children’s health care, the Family and Medical Leave Act -all have a running thread. Ted Kennedy’s life’s work was not to champion those with wealth or power or special connections. It was to give a voice to those who were not heard; to add a rung to the ladder of opportunity; to make real the dream of our founding. He was given the gift of time that his brothers were not, and he used that gift to touch as many lives and right as many wrongs as the years would allow."