Senator Edward M. Kennedy (1932-2009)

Longtime Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy died last night at age 77 after a long battle with brain cancer and exactly one year after speaking briefly at the Democratic National Convention.

You may not like Senator Kennedy personally or agreed with his politics, but you can't deny his great service to our country in the United States Senate.

Nor can you deny that Kennedy was a strong man, dealing with all of the tragedy that his family had over the years, yet still remaining a viable and visible presence in fighting for what he believed in.

Growing up and living most of my life in Massachusetts, I can tell you that Kennedy was idolized here by many, many people. You don't win as many terms in the Senate as Kennedy did if you're a slacker and not doing your job.

My prayers go out to the Kennedy family today as they deal with the passing of another member of their family within the last 2+ weeks.

Here's another article on the death of Senator Kennedy.

(l-r: The Brothers Kennedy: Robert, Edward and John)