US politician Edward (Ted) Kennedy, a major Democrat figure who took over the party's leadership after brothers John and Robert were assassinated has died aged 77.
Senator Kennedy had been battling a brain tumour since last year.He was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive type of brain tumour, called a malignant glioma, in May 2008, after suffering a seizure at his Massachusetts home.
Known as "Teddy", he was the brother of President John Kennedy, assassinated in 1963, Senator Robert Kennedy, fatally shot while campaigning for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination, and Joe Kennedy, a pilot killed in World War 2.
The surviving brother of three who served in the Senate had appeared in public rarely in recent months and had not been to the Capitol since April.His condition was highlighted earlier this year when he collapsed at a post-inauguration lunch for President Barack Obama and was rushed to hospital.
Observers figured the end was near when Kennedy did not attend the recent funeral of his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died at 88. Kennedy's memoir is set for publication next month.
Early this morning the family issued the following four-sentence statement:
Statement from The Kennedy Family:
Edward M. Kennedy – the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply – died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. 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, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it’s hard to imagine any of them without him.
Funeral plans were pending.
Feel free to share your memories and thoughts on Kennedy's life and work below.
No comments:
Post a Comment