Edward M. Kennedy 1932 ~ 2009

Democrat Edward Kennedy, frequently referred to as "Ted" or "Teddy," was the senior senator from Massachusetts. Kennedy was the younger brother of both President John F. Kennedy and former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and the father of congressman Patrick Kennedy.

On August 29, 2009 Senator Kennedy was laid to hist final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery next to his two distinguished brothers Former President John F. Kennedy and Former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. President Barack Obama gave Edwards eulogy.

You can find more information about funeral precession's on the Edward Kennedy's Funeral page.

On February 24, 2009, during his first joint Congressional address, President Barack Obama asked Congress to approve the bipartisan "Serve America Act," co-sponsored by Kennedy and Senator Orrin Hatch. The act includes legislation to expand opportunities and encourage greater community involvement in non-profit agencies, particularly those dedicated to health care and education. The president also praised Kennedy and invoked his late brother, John F. Kennedy, by referring to him as "an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country ."Huffington Post: Text of Obama Speech (February 24, 2009) AARP: Hatch, Kennedy Propose "Serve America Act" September 12, 2008) Kennedy appeared at a health summit organized by President Barack Obama on March 5, 2009, where he spoke about health care reform.CBS: Warm Welcome For Kennedy At Health Summit (March 5, 2009)

The Serve America Act is currently being debated in the U.S. Senate. A similar bill was passed in the House of Representatives on March 17, 2009, and is also under consideration by the Senate. The Serve America Act was approved by the Senate on March 26, 2009.Salt Lake City Tribune: Senate passes Kennedy-Hatch service bill (March 26, 2009)

Kennedy was given an honorary knighthood in March 2009 by Queen Elizabeth for his services to U.S./U.K. relations and to Northern Ireland.

Kennedy collapsed at the Congressional Luncheon on January 20, 2009, following the inauguration of 44th president Barack Obama. A republican house member said that Kennedy had a seizure that lasted "a while." In his opening remarks at the luncheon, President Obama referred to Kennedy, saying, ""Right now a part of me is with him...This is a joyous time and this is a sobering time."Pennsylvania Ave: Health Scare (January 20, 2009) Fox News: Kennedy Suffers Seizure at Inaugural Lunch (January 20, 2009) Washington Post: Sens. Byrd and Kennedy Leave Obama Congressional Luncheon for Medical Reasons (January 20, 2009) Doctors said Kennedy's seizure resulted from "simple fatigue" and would hold the senator overnight for observation.Boston Herald: Doc says Ted Kennedy on mend (January 20, 2009)

Early reports said Kennedy's friend and colleague, Senator Robert Byrd, who was seated at Kennedy's table at the luncheon, also left due to sudden illness. His office later said he was fine, but left due to concern over Kennedy's welfare.Washington Post: Byrd, Kennedy Leave Luncheon for Medical Reasons (January 20, 2009) Reuters: Sen. Kennedy collapses at Obama inaugural lunch (January 20, 2009)

On May 17, 2008, Kennedy was rushed to a hospital in Cape Cod, then airlifted to the Massachusetts General Hospital after reportedly experiencing "stroke-like symptoms." Three days later, his doctors announced their diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor.The Boston Globe: Sen. Edward Kennedy diagnosed with brain tumor; prognosis seen as uncertain (May 20, 2008) Although Senator Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, he made a surprise speech on opening night of the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver after a tribute in his honor.Time: Will Ted Kennedy Speak in Denver (August 25, 2008) Kennedy's spokespeople had originally said that "Senator Kennedy is in Denver...Right now, he plans to attend, not speak."Time: Will Ted Kennedy Speak in Denver (August 25, 2008)

Kennedy was transported to Cape Cod Hospital on September 26, 2008, after suffering a "minor seizure" caused by an adverse reaction to a change in medication.FOXNews.com: Sen. Ted Kennedy Taken to Cape Cod Hospital September 26, 2008

Kennedy graduated from Harvard University in 1956, after having been expelled five years earlier for cheating on a Spanish test. When Kennedy's brother John won the presidency in 1960, he was still under 30, and thus not eligible to serve as a replacement for him in the Senate. Two years later, on November 6, 1962, Kennedy won a special election and became a senator. He was elected to a full term two years later, and has represented Massachusetts there ever since.

Kennedy has developed a reputation as one of the most reliably liberal senators, and is viewed as an icon and leader in the Democratic Party.

On July 18, 1969, Kennedy was driving Mary Jo Kopechne, a former staffer for his brother Robert, home from a party on the island of Chappaquiddick, near Martha's Vineyard. Kennedy's car veered off the road and into Poucha Pond; he managed to swim to safety, but Kopechne drowned.

Kennedy claims he tried to save Kopechne, and even recruited other party guests in the effort, but he did not report the accident to police until after Kopechne's body was found the next day by fishermen. He was eventually charged with leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury and was sentenced to two months in jail, but the sentence was suspended. The ensuing scandal has dogged Kennedy's political career and reputation ever since.

After being diagnosed with brain cancer in May of 2009, Kennedy died at age 77 on August 25.http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/26/obit.ted.kennedy/index.html He had survived a successful cancer operation previously that year, after he had suffered a seizure during a luncheon celebrating the inauguration of President Barack Obama.http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/TedKennedy/story?id=6692022

Kennedy's sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, died earlier that same month.

The Kennedy family has launched a twitter account keeping people informed about funeral precession you can view it at.

www.Twitter.com/KennedyNews

Or following @KennedyNews

• February 22, 1932: Born

• 1956: Graduated from Harvard University

• 1959: Graduated from University of Virginia School of Law

• 1962: Elected to the U.S. Senate

• 1969: Chappaquiddick Incident

• 1979: Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee

• 1982: Divorces Joan Bennett Kennedy

• 1992: Marries Victoria Reggie Kennedy

• 2006: Selected by TIME Magazine as one of America's 10 Best Senators

• August 25, 2009: Died