By: "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." ? Statement from the Kennedy family.
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"For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. ... 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." ? President Barack Obama.
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"Ted Kennedy's dream was the one for which the founding fathers fought and for which his brothers sought to realize. The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die." ? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
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"Teddy inspired our country through his dedication to health care reform, his commitment to social justice and his devotion to a life of public service. ... Teddy taught us all that public service isn't a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life, and his legacy will live on." ? California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is married to Kennedy's niece, Maria Shriver.
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"Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend." ? Nancy Reagan, widow of former President Ronald Reagan.
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"Sen. Kennedy was a passionate voice for the citizens of Massachusetts and an unwavering advocate for the millions of less fortunate in our country. The courage and dignity he exhibited in his fight with cancer was surpassed only by his lifelong commitment and service to his country." ? former President Jimmy Carter, who won the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination over Kennedy.
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"While we didn't see eye to eye on many political issues through the years, I always respected his steadfast public service ? so much so, in fact, that I invited him to my library in 2003 to receive the Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service. Ted Kennedy was a seminal figure in the United States Senate ? a leader who answered the call to duty for some 47 years, and whose death closes a remarkable chapter in that body's history." ? former President George H.W. Bush.
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"No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger than life presence who was simply the best ? the best senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague, and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times." ? Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
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"At some of the most tragic and difficult moments in this nation's history, Ted Kennedy gathered his strength and led us toward a more hopeful future." ? Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga.
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"Ted was always willing to not only reach across the aisle, but had the unique ability to pull people together to get things done, with both substance and a great sense of humor. He was undoubtedly one of the single most effective senators in this history of our country." ? Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.
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"One of the Commonwealth's brightest lights went out last night. Ted Kennedy was a compassionate, effective, visionary statesman, family man and friend." ? Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
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"The last son of Rose Fitzgerald and Joseph Kennedy was granted a much longer life than his brothers, and he filled those years with endeavor and achievement that would have made them proud." ? Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
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"Even facing illness and death he never stopped fighting for the causes which were his life's work. I am proud to have counted him as a friend and proud that the United Kingdom recognized his service earlier this year with the award of an honorary knighthood." ? British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
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"America has lost a great and respected statesman and Ireland has lost a long-standing and true friend." ? Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.
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"Kennedy has been a friend for 30 years, a great American patriot, a great champion of a better world, a great friend of Israel. He will be sorely missed." ? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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"Ted Kennedy was a great American, a great Democrat and also a great friend of Australia. He has made an extraordinary contribution to American politics, an extraordinary contribution to America's role in the world." ? Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
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"The best tribute we could pay him is a renewed vigor in the fight to see his dreams realized. The world is going to miss Ted Kennedy. I already do." ? Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
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"Without a doubt, Sen. Kennedy was the most accomplished and effective legislator for economic and social justice in the history of our democracy. He was also the most thoughtful and genuinely considerate friend I have known. Among his many contributions to the human spirit, he taught us to persevere and draw hope and strength at a time of loss and adversity. May we all live up to his example." ? Paul G. Kirk Jr., chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's Board of Directors.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/08/26/national/a011527D03.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0PIFA4Qdx
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