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Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies | Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies |
(41 minutes later) | |
Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of ex-President John F Kennedy, has died at the age of 77, after a long battle with a brain tumour. | |
He became a Democratic Massachusetts senator in 1962, replacing his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times. | |
Senator Kennedy had been a dominant force in liberal US politics for almost half a century. | |
Recently he was an active supporter of President Barack Obama. | |
He has championed issues like healthcare and education. | |
The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die Harry Reid Senate Majority leader class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6917&edition=1&ttl=20090826065109">Senator Edward Kennedy: Your comments class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8221743.stm">Kennedy family statement | |
In 2006 Time magazine named him as one of America's "Ten Best Senators" saying that he had "amassed a titanic record of legislation affecting the lives of virtually every man, woman and child in the country". | |
The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says Senator Kennedy, known affectionately as "Teddy", will be remembered as one of the most effective and popular legislators in American history. | |
Our correspondent says he was also skilled at forging alliances across party lines: pushing an education initiative with President George W Bush, and immigration reform with Republican John McCain. | |
But he was also a fierce critic of the Bush administration, in particular over Iraq and the prisoner abuse scandal. | |
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said the Kennedy family and the Senate had "together lost our patriarch". | Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said the Kennedy family and the Senate had "together lost our patriarch". |
"The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die," he said. | |
'Joyous light' | '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 MOORE KENNEDY 1932 Born, youngest of nine children1962 Becomes country's youngest senator1963, 1968 Brothers President John F Kennedy and Senator Robert F Kennedy both assassinated1969 "Chappaquiddick incident" - Kennedy flees scene after road crash in which his young passenger dies1980 Runs unsuccessfully for Democratic nomination against sitting President Jimmy Carter Obituary: Edward Kennedy | |
"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. |
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 in the 1960s. | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Analysts suggest that Senator Kennedy feared a lengthy gap could deny Democrats a crucial vote on Mr Obama's flagship health reform. |
His death comes weeks after that of his older sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, on 11 August. |