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| Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies | Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Senator Edward Kennedy, the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, has died. | Senator Edward Kennedy, the Democratic senator from Massachusetts, has died. |
| Mr Kennedy was nominated for a knighthood earlier this year for "services to the British-American relationship and to Northern Ireland". | Mr Kennedy was nominated for a knighthood earlier this year for "services to the British-American relationship and to Northern Ireland". |
| In December 2007 he met Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness during the first and deputy first ministers' visit to the US, which he said was a great success. | In December 2007 he met Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness during the first and deputy first ministers' visit to the US, which he said was a great success. |
| In 2006, he paid tribute to the family of murder victim Robert McCartney after meeting them in Washington. | In 2006, he paid tribute to the family of murder victim Robert McCartney after meeting them in Washington. |
| Senator Kennedy described the McCartney murder as a "defining issue" and paid tribute to the women of the family who had "persevered in the face of intimidation and harassment". | Senator Kennedy described the McCartney murder as a "defining issue" and paid tribute to the women of the family who had "persevered in the face of intimidation and harassment". |
| During the Troubles, he played a leading role in America in supporting nationalists in Northern Ireland and was often a controversial figure to unionists. | |
| He made an emotional journey to Ireland in 1970 and was soon embroiled in calls for the British Army to move out of Northern Ireland. | |
| 'Four horsemen' | |
| Mr Kennedy was one of four influential Irish-American politicians - known as the four horsemen - with whom former SDLP leader John Hume forged a strong relationship. | |
| Senator Kennedy helped garner support for Mr Hume's belief in peaceful, gradual change bolstered by economic development. | |
| After the IRA ceasefire, he demanded that London move on talks with Sinn Féin. He met Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and other politicians during and beyond the Good Friday Agreement. | |
| The vast, vast majority of Irish Catholics in America bear you no ill will. We are brothers and sisters, not enemies Edward Kennedy | |
| Despite his strong interest in Northern Ireland, it was not until 1998 that he first visited there. | |
| In a speech at Londonderry's Guildhall, he told Protestants in the audience that they were "part of our heritage and history". | |
| "The vast, vast majority of Irish Catholics in America bear you no ill will. We are brothers and sisters, not enemies," he said. | |
| He praised Northern Ireland's political leaders after the return of power-sharing in May 2007. | |
| Mr Kennedy said: "A brighter day has dawned for the people of Northern Ireland, and it would not have been possible without the commitment and determination by all of Northern Ireland's political leaders to find a new way forward. | Mr Kennedy said: "A brighter day has dawned for the people of Northern Ireland, and it would not have been possible without the commitment and determination by all of Northern Ireland's political leaders to find a new way forward. |
| "Each of them is a profile in courage for our time and all time." | "Each of them is a profile in courage for our time and all time." |
| Knighthood | |
| When proposing Mr Kennedy for a knighthood Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Northern Ireland is today at peace, more Americans have health care, more children around the world are going to school and for all those things we owe a great debt to the life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy." | When proposing Mr Kennedy for a knighthood Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Northern Ireland is today at peace, more Americans have health care, more children around the world are going to school and for all those things we owe a great debt to the life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy." |
| Senator Kennedy, who was 77, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year. | Senator Kennedy, who was 77, 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. |
| 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. |