'Senator of senators' Edward Kennedy mourned
Barack Obama leads tributes to late senator Edward Kennedy
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By Will Haine. |  |
Wednesday, 26, Aug 2009 11:01
By Sarah Garrod.
The United States has lost a great leader in the shape of Edward Kennedy, Barack Obama has said.
The venerable senator passed away in the early hours of this morning at the age of 77 after a long battle with a brain tumour.
Obituary: Edward Kennedy
The brother of assassinated president John F Kennedy was the third-longest serving senator in history, being re-elected to Capitol Hill seven times by Massachusetts voters.
Senator Kennedy was among the first senior Democrats to endorse President Obama during his campaign for the White House; the backing of the senior representative of the influential Kennedy clan seen as a key reason for his eventual election.
In a statement President Obama said: "Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time."
Ted Kennedy death in quotes
Tributes in the UK were led by prime minister Gordon Brown, who said the US had lots the "senator of senators".
"Senator Edward Kennedy will be mourned not just in America but in every continent," he said.
"He led the world in championing children's education and health care, and believed that every single child should have the chance to realise their potential to the full. Even facing illness and death he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work.
"I am proud to have counted him as a friend and proud that the United Kingdom recognised his service earlier this year with the award of an honorary knighthood. My thoughts and those of Sarah are with his remarkable and loving wife Vicki and his great family."
Senator Kennedy's famous family lost his two older brothers, John and Robert, who were both assassinated, as well as brother Joseph who was killed in the second world war.
More recently the family grieved for his sister Eunice Shriver, who died earlier this month.
Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is married to Kennedy's niece Maria Shriver, told CNN: "Maria and I are immensely saddened by the passing of Uncle Teddy. He was known to the world as the lion of the Senate, a champion of social justice, and a political icon.
"Most importantly, he was the rock of our family: a loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He was a man of great faith and character."
In May 2008 Mr Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, which kept him from attending the funeral of his sister.
A dominant force in liberal politics in the US, he was a great supporter on issues such as healthcare and education.
His death was announced by his family this morning in a statement: "Edward M Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts).
"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."