Thaindian News

By Samrat Banerjee

Washington, Aug 26 (IBNS) US Senator Ted Kennedy, the last of the brothers who ruled US politics for years, has breathed his last at 77. He died of brain cancer.

The Kennedy family said in a statement: Edward M Kennedy — the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply — died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

“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,” the statement added.

A few days back, cancer-stricken Senator Edward M Kennedy handed over a poignant letter to leaders in his home state of Massachusetts, asking that they change state law to allow a speedy replacement of him in Congress.

The note was sent to Gov Deval Patrick and the state’s Senate president and House speaker at a time when Congress is considering an overhaul of the US health care system, a life cause of Kennedy’s.

The letter acknowledges the state changed its succession law in 2004 to require a special election within five months to fill any vacancy.

At the time, legislative Democrats were concerned then-Republican Gov Mitt Romney would be able to fill any vacancy created as Democratic Sen John Kerry ran for president.

However, Kennedy writes: It is vital for this commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election.

It may be mentioned that each US state is represented by two senators.