This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8221686.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies | Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies |
(20 minutes later) | |
Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of ex-President John F Kennedy, has died at the age of 77 after battling a brain tumour. | Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of ex-President John F Kennedy, has died at the age of 77 after battling a brain tumour. |
The Democratic Massachusetts senator was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year. | The Democratic Massachusetts senator was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year. |
He became a member of the Senate in 1962 to replace his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times. | He became a member of the Senate in 1962 to replace his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times. |
He has been an active supporter of current President Barack Obama. | He has been an active supporter of current President Barack Obama. |
Correspondents say Senator Kennedy - universally known as "Teddy" - has been a dominant force in liberal American politics for almost half a century, especially on issues like healthcare and education. | |
The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says he will be remembered as one of the most effective and popular legislators in American history. | |
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said the Kennedy family and the Senate had "together lost our patriarch". | |
'Joyous light' | |
The Kennedy family announced his death in a brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday. | The Kennedy family announced his death in a brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday. |
"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 statement said. | "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 statement said. |
"We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever." | "We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever." |
Edward Kennedy was the only one of four brothers to die a natural death. | Edward Kennedy was the only one of four brothers to die a natural death. |
Obituary: Edward Kennedy | |
His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both President John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated. | His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both President John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated. |
He was widely expected to be the next Kennedy in the White House, but he was never able to fully overcome the scandal caused in 1969, when he drove a car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick near his home, killing his female passenger. | |
The incident helped derail his only presidential bid, more than a decade later. | |
But he remained active in politics right up until his death, famously endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination during a tight race with Hillary Clinton last year. | |
Last week, he asked the Massachusetts governor to change state law to allow a speedy succession when his Senate seat became vacant. | |
Analysts suggest that Senator Kennedy feared a lengthy gap could deny Democrats a crucial vote on Mr Obama's flagship health reform. |