Biofiles: Senator Ted Kennedy
Senator Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy (Feb. 22, 1932-August 25, 2009) was a member of the Kennedy family and a leader in the Democratic Party for over 40 years as a powerful Senator and one-time presidential candidate. Born in Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy was the youngest of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Kennedy . He was married twice, first to Joan Bennett, and later to Vicki Reggie. Senator Kennedy fathered three children with his first wife, Kara, Edward Jr., and Patrick. Patrick Kennedy is a congressman from Rhode Island.
Ted Kennedy’s political career took in a large part of American history over the course of nearly a half century.
Political Career: Party Affiliation: Democrat
1958: Served as official manager of older brother John Kennedy’s Senate re-election campaign.
1960: Manager of older brother John Kennedy’s presidential election campaign in the Western states.
1962: Won election to John Kennedy’s old Senate seat representing Massachusetts. Ted Kennedy would hold that Senate seat until his death in August, 2009)
1980: Challenged incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter for the party’s nomination. Kennedy lost the nomination.
2008: Joined other Kennedy family members on stage to vocally announce his support for Barack Obama’s campaign for the Democratic nomination against Senator Hillary Clinton.
Laws passed through the work and political influence of Senator Ted Kennedy
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
National Cancer Act of 1971
Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974
COBRA Act of 1985
Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Ryan White AIDS Care Act (1990)
Civil Rights Act of 1991
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
Mental Health Parity Act (1996, 2008)
State Children’s Health Insurance Program (1997)
No Child Left Behind Act (2002)
Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (2009)
In May, 2008, Senator Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer.
In August, 2009, his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, suffered a series of strokes (source:Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver at Eunice Shriver’s bedside-LA Times, August 8, 2009).
Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away in the early morning hours of August 11, 2009, at the age of 88, with her family at her bedside.
Condolences poured in from around the world upon the news of Eunice Shriver’s death. In particular, Special Olympians and their families expressed deep regret over her death, but great joy in the positive work that she did for the disabled. On August 11, 2009, President Obama released a statement expressing his condolences.
On August 25, 2009, Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy, arguably the most influential member of the Kennedy clan on American history and politics, passed away as a result of his brain cancer.
Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy’s Family
Notable Ancestors
John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald–Grandfather and Mayor of Boston
Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. (September 6, 1888 – November 18, 1969)––Father
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy ( July 22, 1890–January 22, 1995)—Mother
Virginia Joan Bennett Kennedy–1st Wife (wed on Nov. 29, 1958; divorced 1982)
Victoria Reggie Kennedy —2nd Wife (wed on July 3, 1992)
Children
Kara Anne Kennedy-Daughter
Edward Kennedy, Jr.-Son
Patrick J. Kennedy–Son
Siblings
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (July 25, 1915–August 12, 1944)—John F. “Jack” Kennedy (May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963) —
Rosemary Kennedy (September 13, 1918 – January 7, 2005) —
Kathleen Kennedy (February 20, 1920 – May 13, 1948)—
Eunice Kennedy Shriver (July 10, 1921-August 11, 2009) —
Patricia Kennedy (May 6, 1924 – September 17, 2006) —
Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy (November 20, 1925–June 6, 1968)-–
Jean Kennedy (b. February 20, 1928)
Education:
1950-1951: Harvard College (Expelled from Harvard for cheating on an exam)1953-1956: Harvard College (BA, History and Government)
1956-1959: University of Virginia School of Law
Military Service:
June 1951-March 1953: United States Army: rank of Private First Class
Career/Occupation:
February 1961: Assistant District Attorney for Suffolk County, Massachusetts
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Political Career:
Party Affiliation: Democrat
1958: Served as official manager of older brother John Kennedy’s Senate re-election campaign.
1960: Manager of older brother John Kennedy’s presidential election campaign in the Western states.
1962: Won election to John Kennedy’s old Senate seat representing Massachusetts. Ted Kennedy would hold that Senate seat until his death in August, 2009)
1980: Challenged incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter for the party’s nomination. Kennedy lost the nomination.
2008: Joined other Kennedy family members on stage to vocally announce his support for Barack Obama’s campaign for the Democratic nomination against Senator Hillary Clinton.
Links and Resources:
Ted Kennedy-Wikipedia Article
Senator Edward M. Kennedy | United States Senator for Massachusetts-Senate Website
Ted Kennedy–New York Times, August 25, 2009
Senator Ted Kennedy has died at home in Hyannis Port the evening of August 25–Review of Kennedy’s accomplishments
Though Dying, Senator Ted Kennedy Carried On The Dream –Book Review: Ted Kennedy by Edward Klein
