Senator Edward Kennedy, political giant and one of the greatest legislators of the last 100 years passed away at his home, last night, in Hyannis Port. Kennedy, who was 77, fought a 13-month battle with brain cancer, had his spouse, Vickie, and other family members at this bed side when he died.
Kennedy who always wore a ready smile, was last seen in public on August 7th, riding on a golf cart near his home.
Known at the rock of the Kennedy family, he was the youngest of nine children, who lived through much tragedy and triumph. But perhaps he will be remembered for his extensive work in the U.S. Senate.
Kennedy served over 50 years in the Senate and was instrumental for the passage of much legislation, including work on civil rights, education and health care. Indeed, some suggests that perhaps it was his absence from the Senate over the past several months because of ill health, which explains why the current health care reform remains bogged down with great division along party lines.
While there were differences between the Republicans members and Kennedy in the Senate, all agree that he worked hard to establish common ground and was willing to make compromises, in order to move the agenda forward.
Senator Kennedy was a tireless champion for the poor and disadvantaged, and part of his legacy would be the 2,500 pieces of legislation which bear his name, and of which 300 were signed into law.
Tributes continue to pour in from his colleagues and friends, including Senators John McCain of Arizona and Orin Hatch of Utah. Said, McCain, “We have lost a lion”.
Many on the Democratic side are clear that Kennedy’s endorsement of then Senator Barack Obama was very pivotal in helping him secure his party’s nomination. In January 2008, when Kennedy threw his support behind Obama, he believed then that there was need for generational change and in his view, Obama embodied that hope and inspiration, which was so much a part of his brother and former president, John F. Kennedy’s, philosophy. Later that year at the Democratic National Convention, Kennedy’s famous words still resonate with many, “The torch will be passed again to a new generation, the hope rises again and the dream lives on”.
While Senator Kennedy’s passing was not unexpected, following his diagnosis 13 months ago, he had hoped to see the passage a health care reform bill in Congress, as well as, the publication of his Memoirs, due in October 2009.
President Barack Obama, who not infrequently turned to Kennedy for advice and counsel, is due to issue a statement later today.
