Edward Kennedy: Passes away

Edward Kennedy: Passes away

Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of former President John F Kennedy, has died of brain cancer on August 25, 2009. He was 77.

Kennedy, who was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party, was suffering from brain cancer since May 2008. He had raised a strong liberal voice to American politics for the past four decades.

Democrat Kennedy died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port on Cape Cod, his family said in a statement.

In a statement, his family said, "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".

President Barack Obama said he was "heartbroken" to hear of his death.

Mr. Obama said, "An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time".

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said that Kennedy would be 'mourned in every continent'.

Former first-lady Nancy Reagan said she "will miss him".

In 2006, Edward Kennedy was named as one of America's "Ten Best Senators" by Time magazine.

Over the decades, Edward Kennedy put his imprint on every major piece of U.S. social legislation to clear the Congress and was particularly vocal on health care, civil rights, war and peace.

The iconic Democratic U.S. Senator was elected to the Senate in 1962 special election to fill the seat once held by his brother John. He was elected to a full six-year term in 1964 and was reelected in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006.

Kennedy's death came weeks after that of his older sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, on August 11, 2009. Due to his death, the Democratic Party has lost their 60 seat supermajority in the US Senate. His successor will be chosen in a special election within 160 days.

Kennedy's memoir, "True Compass", will be published in the fall.