US Senator Edward Kennedy dies at 77 (3rd Lead)

Aug 26, 2009, 6:48 GMT

A file picture dated 18 April 2008, shows US Senator Edward M Kennedy at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. US Senator Edward Kennedy has died at 77 after battling brain cancer, US news reports said on 26 August 2009. His family released a statement announcing his death late 25 August 2009 at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. EPA/CJ GUNTHER

Washington - US Senator Edward Kennedy, who became the Kennedy family's political standard bearer after his brothers president John F Kennedy and senator Robert Kennedy were assassinated, has died at 77 after battling brain cancer.

His family released a statement announcing his death late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Kennedy died before his life-long push for US health care reform was realized. His absence from the increasingly contentious debate was felt by fellow Democrats as well as Republicans, with whom he had a long track record of compromise.

'This is the cause of my life,' Kennedy wrote in July in Newsweek magazine.

'It is a key reason that I defied my illness last summer to speak at the Democratic convention in Denver to support Barack Obama, but also to make sure, as I said, 'that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not just a privilege',' he added.

His absence at two key events in recent weeks - the funeral of his sister, Eunice, the founder of Special Olympics, and the presentation of the nation's highest civilian award, the Medal of Freedom, at Obama's White House - gave rise to increasing concern about his health.

The youngest Kennedy brother, also known as 'Teddy,' was one of the longest serving US senators, spending 46 years in the chamber, where he was known as a liberal lion.

He followed his brothers in running for president after John F Kennedy was gunned down while in office in 1963 and Robert Kennedy was also fatally shot in 1968 while campaigning for the presidency.

 Edward Kennedy's aspirations for the White House, however, were hurt by a 1969 car accident in which he drove off a bridge and his female passenger was killed. He ran for the office once, in 1980, losing in the Democratic Party primaries to the eventual president, Jimmy Carter.

He had an illustrious career in the Senate, however, playing major roles in passing legislation on health care, civil rights and education.

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008 after suffering a seizure and underwent surgery to remove part of his brain tumor the following month. He then underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments and made few public appearances.

   'We've lost the irreplaceable centre 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,' the family statement said. '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.'