Kennedy, Edward
The Irish Americans
On January 20, 2009, despite his ongoing battle with brain cancer, Ted Kennedy was able to see President Obama being sworn into office in Washington. In May 2008, Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant glioma, a type of cancerous brain tumor, and has borne the ailment with quiet dignity amidst huge support from both sides of the political divide. Kennedy continued post-surgery to support Obama’s run for the presidency, speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Kennedy is now the second-longest member of the Senate. During his years in the Senate, he served as the Majority Whip, Chairman of the Committees on the Judiciary, Labor and Human Resources, Health, Education, Labor and Pension. Having served since 1962, Kennedy made an unsuccessful run for President in 1980, losing out to Jimmy Carter in the Democratic primary.
It cannot be doubted that his years of service have made him a Democratic Party icon. Time magazine named Kennedy one of America’s best senators, praising not only his strong ideals but also his ability to compromise.
“Over 43 years in the Senate, Democrat Ted Kennedy has fought serial battles on behalf of the working class—from defending overtime pay and workplace-safety regulations to expanding health-care availability and penalizing discrimination,” Time wrote.
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