Sen. Edward Kennedy was a towering figure in the Democratic Party, the patriarch of the first family of Democratic politics, one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in U.S. history (one of only six senators to serve more than 40 years). He was the younger brother of President John F. Kennedy and New York Sen. Robert Kennedy.

Ted Kennedy, known as the “Lion of the Senate“, was one of Washington’s most effective senators. He played major role in civil, voting rights and healthcare reform (which he made his signature cause). He suffered a seizure in May 2008 but he gave his full support to Barack Obama; althought still recovering from his seizure, Kennedy was in Washington in January when Obama assumed office.

No need to tell more.

Ted Kennedy, R.I.P.