Massachusett Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy Died

On Tuesday night, Massachusetts Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy also known as the ”lion of the senate” died at his home from a year long battled with a brain tumor. Kennedy suffered a seizure in May 2008 at his home on Cape Cod. Shortly after, doctors diagnosed a brain tumor a malignant glioma in his left parietal lobe. Although he underwent a successful surgery, the threat of this disease would stifled his effort to see his health care reform through. However, he was still able to participate in a key vote in the Senate. He also insisted on making a brief but dramatic appearance at the 2008 Democratic convention, a poignant moment that brought the crowd to its feet and tears to many eyes.

"I have come here tonight to stand with you to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals and to elect Barack Obama president of the United States," Kennedy told fellow Democrats in a strong voice.

Kennedy's endorsement for Obama was considered a bombshell for the first-term senator from Illinois fighting in a tough presidential primary battle against Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Kennedy predicted Obama's victory and pledged to be in Washington in January when Obama assumed office and he was, though he was hospitalized briefly after suffering a seizure during a post-inaugural luncheon. It is said that he knew his days was numbered to pass on the torch to the first African American to become president at the inauguration of Barrack Obama.

Obama named Kennedy as one of 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor. A White House statement explained that the 2009 honorees "were chosen for their work as agents of change."

Kennedy, who became known as the "Lion of the Senate," and the “consummate legislator” played major roles in 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, and was an outspoken liberal standard-bearer during a conservative-dominated era from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Kennedy championed social causes and was the author of "In Critical Condition: The Crisis in America's Health Care."

He served as chairman of the Judiciary and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees and was the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary and Armed Services committees during periods when Republicans controlled the chamber.

Kennedy was one of only six senators in U.S. history to serve more than 40 years. He was elected to eight full terms to become the second most-senior senator after West Virginia Democrat Robert Byrd.

He launched his political career in 1962, when he was elected to finish the unexpired Senate term of his brother, who became president in 1960. He won his first full term in 1964.

Born in Boston on February 22, 1932, Edward Moore Kennedy was the last of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, a prominent businessman and Democrat, and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Joseph Kennedy served as ambassador to Britain before World War II and pushed his sons to strive for the presidency, a burden "Teddy" bore for much of his life as the only surviving Kennedy son.

His oldest brother, Joe Jr. died in a plane crash during World War II when Kennedy was 12. President John assassinated in Dallas, Texas, in 1963, and Robert was killed the night of the California primary in 1968. Ted Kennedy delivered Robert's eulogy, urging mourners to remember him as "a good and decent man who saw wrong and tried to right it; who saw suffering and tried to heal it; who saw war and tried to stop it."

"Senator Ted Kennedy's legacy in the United States Senate is comparable and consistent with the legacy of his entire family for generations," Kennedy's biographer, Ted Sorensen, said. The end of an era has come in American politics with his passing. He will be missed by his family, the U.S. Senate, and the American people. Democracy in this country will always have the signature of the “lion of the senate” engraved in the policies of this nation. The family is mourning his death as they released a statement "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," "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 recently urged Massachusetts officials to change a law to allow for an immediate temporary replacement should a vacancy occur for one of his state's two Senate seats.

Kennedy requested that Governor Deval Patrick "amend the law through the normal legislative process to provide for a temporary gubernatorial appointment until the special election occurs," according to the letter, dated July 2. Read Kennedy's letter

Under a 2004 Massachusetts law, a special election must be held 145 to 160 days after a Senate seat becomes vacant. The winner of the election would serve the remainder of a senator's unexpired term.

"Senator Kennedy has dedicated his career to fighting for equal opportunity, fairness and justice for all Americans. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that every American has access to quality and affordable health care, and has succeeded in doing so for countless children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. He has called health care reform the "cause of his life.".