Sen. Ted Kennedy died at 77 but 'the dream lives on'

                                       Senator Edward M. Kennedy (1932 – 2009)

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who died Tuesday night of brain cancer, will be buried on Saturday at Arlington National Cemetery near his brothers John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, and his former sister-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy.

The cemetery is across the Potomac River from the U.S. Capitol Building where the "Lion of the Senate" had served for nearly half a century.

President Obama praised Ted Kennedy "not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy... For his family, he was a guardian.  For America, he was the defender of a dream.”

The President added, “His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself.”

His family announced his death in a statement: 

“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.”

He was the patriarch of the Kennedy political dynasty, which has been compared to the Adams and Roosevelts. His death came just two weeks after the death of his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

In the words of Sen. Kennedy, "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."  

Sen. Kennedy was a major supporter of the arts as well as health care and justice for all. Kennedy helped found, and co-chaired the Senate Arts Caucus. He was a key supporter of funding for the arts, especially the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for Humanities; a major defender of creative expression and freedom of expression; a leading proponent of protection of intellectual property rights and other rights for artists, among others. 

Here is a list of his accomplishments.   

The 77-year-old senator had been the second-longest serving current member of the Senate. He was first elected to the Senate in 1962, to fill the seat of his brother John F. Kennedy who had been elected President in 1960. Ted Kennedy was re-elected to eight full terms in the Senate.

National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Jim Leach said, “... the nation has lost a public servant steadfastly committed to concerns of humanity and the humanities. No senator has been a more consistent and compelling advocate for progressive causes over the past half century.”

For more info: Sen. Ted Kennedy's Office, www.kennedy.senate.gov