US Senator Edward Kennedy dies: Family

BOSTON: US Senator Edward Kennedy, atowering figure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America'smost fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, hasdied at age 77, his family said on Wednesday. (Watch Video)"Edward M Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather,brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late on Tuesday night at home inHyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the Kennedy family said in a statement.One of the most influential and longest-serving senators in UShistory -- a liberal standard-bearer who was also known as a consummatecongressional dealmaker -- Kennedy had been battling brain cancer, which wasdiagnosed in May 2008. "We've lost the irreplaceable center of ourfamily and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith,optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the familystatement added. His death marked the twilight of a politicaldynasty, and dealt a blow to Democrats as they seek to answer President BarackObama's call for an overhaul of the healthcare system. Kennedy hadmade healthcare reform his signature cause. Known as "Teddy," he wasthe brother of President John Kennedy, assassinated in 1963, Senator RobertKennedy, fatally shot while campaigning for the 1968 Democratic presidentialnomination, and Joe Kennedy, a pilot killed in World War Two. Whenhe first took the Senate seat previously held by John Kennedy in 1962, he wasseen as something of a political lightweight who owed his ascent to his famousname. Yet during his nearly half century in the chamber, Kennedybecame known as one of Washington's most effective senators, craftinglegislation by working with lawmakers and presidents of both parties, andfinding unlikely allies. At the same time, he held fast to liberalcauses deemed anachronistic by the centrist "New Democrats," and was a lightningrod for conservative ire. He helped enact measures to protect civiland labor rights, expand healthcare, upgrade schools, increase student aid andcontain the spread of nuclear weapons. "There's a lot to do,"Kennedy told Reuters in 2006. "I think most of all it's theinjustice that I continue to see and the opportunity to have some impact on it."After Robert Kennedy's death, Edward was expected to waste littletime in vying for the presidency. But in 1969, a young woman drownedafter a car Kennedy was driving plunged off a bridge on the Massachusetts resortisland of Chappaquiddick after a night of partying. Kennedy's imagetook a major hit after it emerged he had failed to report the accident toauthorities. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene and received a suspendedsentence. Kennedy eventually ran for his party's presidentialnomination in 1980 but lost to then-President Jimmy Carter. Hispresidential ambitions thwarted, Kennedy devoted himself to his Senate career.