Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy died after a battling a brain tumor at 77.
“We’ve lost the irreplaceable center 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,” a family statement said. “We thank
everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and
everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for
progress toward justice.”
Kennedy was elected to the Senate in 1962 when his brother John was President. He served as a senator longer than all but two other senators in history and became known as the “Lion of the Senate.” He was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act
of 1965, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and the 1993 Family
and Medical Leave Act.
Kennedy had five children, three from his first marriage to Joan Bennett (Patrick, Kara and Edward Jr.), and two from his second marriage to Victoria Ann Reggie Kennedy (Curran and Caroline Raclin).
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid says that both the Kennedy family as well as the Senate have “lost our patriarch.”
Our condolences go out to his family.
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