Remembering the Lion of the Senate

“We first met him as the kid brother to Jack and Bobby.  And yet Edward Teddy was the survivor.  The one we watched grow old, evolve into the patriarch and struggle with the challenge and burden of carrying the Kennedy torch.” (CNN)

Edward Moore Kennedy died of brain cancer Tuesday night in his home in Massachusetts.

Kennedy was the third longest serving senator in U.S. History. He was known as “The Lion of the Senate”

The U.S. Media are remembering his life and legacy.  We are sifting through their coverage to bring you interesting perspectives.

NBC and WHDH reveal the magnitude of his impact on capital hill.

“What a career on capital hill, 2,500 bills he wrote.  I think 300 of those became law and co sponsored another 550 bills.  He was prolific.” (NBC)

“And his unique political skills..
How insulting can you be? to make that argument on the floor of the United States Senate.  
Caused even those who opposed him to call him one of the most effective legislators who ever walked the capital carpet.” (CNN) 

Kennedy led his family through tragedy after tragedy.  His 8 siblings died before him, many of them tragically.  And then there was this incident that changed his life.

“He was behind the wheel when his car went off a bridge late at night.  A young woman in the car died. Kennedy didn’t report the accident for 9 hours.  A lapse that he called “indefensible”. Critics said it raised questions about his fitness to be President.  It was the beginning of the end of his marriage, even his future in the senate was in doubt." (NBC)  

But Kennedy persevered and went on to continue his work in the senate focusing on progressive issues.  He was the chairman of the senate health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

What Kennedy did before he died might be what some people remember him for. CBS has that perspective

“Our Next president of the United Sates Barack Obama... Kennedy left his hospital against doctors orders to fly cross country, and made a dramatic appearance at the democratic national convention.  The hope rises again and the dream lives on.  He braved sub-freezing weather to see Obama sworn in as the nations 44th president.  But exhausted by the cold he suffered a seizure at a capital lunch following the ceremony.”

President Obama called Kennedy an extraordinary leader and one of the best senators in U.S history.  

How will you remember Ted Kennedy?