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SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY DIED AT AGE 77
AZG DAILY #153
28-08-2009
International
U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic
Party who took the helm of one of America's most fabled political
families after two older brothers were assassinated, died at age 77,
his family said.
Kennedy had brain cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2008. After a
funeral Mass in Boston on Saturday, he will be buried later that day
at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, near the graves
of his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy.
He was one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in
U.S. history, a liberal standard-bearer who recovered politically
from a string of personal scandals to become known as a consummate
congressional dealmaker.
Kennedy's death marked the twilight of a political dynasty and dealt
a blow to Democrats who lost their chief champion of President Barack
Obama's call for an overhaul of the healthcare system.
"Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and
uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis
Port (Massachusetts)," the Kennedy family said in a statement early
on Wednesday.
Kennedy was a longtime advocate of healthcare reform, a signature issue
of Obama's presidency. Obama said on Wednesday he was heartbroken to
hear of the death of Kennedy, a crucial supporter of his presidential
candidacy.
"I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the
presidency," Obama said. "And even as he waged a valiant struggle with
a mortal illness, I've profited as president from his encouragement
and wisdom."
Kennedy's endorsement last year was seen as pivotal in Obama's winning
of the Democratic presidential nomination. Many saw it as the passing
of the political torch to a new generation. A year to the day before
his death, Kennedy made an electrifying speech to the Democratic
convention that nominated Obama for president.
Kennedy had recently urged Massachusetts lawmakers to change state
law so the Democratic governor, if necessary, could quickly fill a
Senate vacancy.
Known as "Teddy," he was the brother of John Kennedy, assassinated
in 1963, Robert Kennedy, fatally shot while campaigning for the 1968
Democratic presidential nomination, and Joe Kennedy, a pilot killed
in World War Two, Reuters reports.
AZG DAILY #153
28-08-2009
International
U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic
Party who took the helm of one of America's most fabled political
families after two older brothers were assassinated, died at age 77,
his family said.
Kennedy had brain cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2008. After a
funeral Mass in Boston on Saturday, he will be buried later that day
at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, near the graves
of his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy.
He was one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in
U.S. history, a liberal standard-bearer who recovered politically
from a string of personal scandals to become known as a consummate
congressional dealmaker.
Kennedy's death marked the twilight of a political dynasty and dealt
a blow to Democrats who lost their chief champion of President Barack
Obama's call for an overhaul of the healthcare system.
"Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and
uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis
Port (Massachusetts)," the Kennedy family said in a statement early
on Wednesday.
Kennedy was a longtime advocate of healthcare reform, a signature issue
of Obama's presidency. Obama said on Wednesday he was heartbroken to
hear of the death of Kennedy, a crucial supporter of his presidential
candidacy.
"I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the
presidency," Obama said. "And even as he waged a valiant struggle with
a mortal illness, I've profited as president from his encouragement
and wisdom."
Kennedy's endorsement last year was seen as pivotal in Obama's winning
of the Democratic presidential nomination. Many saw it as the passing
of the political torch to a new generation. A year to the day before
his death, Kennedy made an electrifying speech to the Democratic
convention that nominated Obama for president.
Kennedy had recently urged Massachusetts lawmakers to change state
law so the Democratic governor, if necessary, could quickly fill a
Senate vacancy.
Known as "Teddy," he was the brother of John Kennedy, assassinated
in 1963, Robert Kennedy, fatally shot while campaigning for the 1968
Democratic presidential nomination, and Joe Kennedy, a pilot killed
in World War Two, Reuters reports.