WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Ted Kennedy was in the thoughts of many on Capitol Hill as the Senate passed its version of a health care bill early this morning.
It's an issue with which Kennedy was associated throughout his career.
Sen. John Kerry, who served with Kennedy from Massachusetts, said, "Ted Kennedy is up there smiling." The man who succeeded Kennedy in the Senate, Paul Kirk, called his vote for the health care bill "the proudest public moment of my life."
Kennedy's close friends and former staffers nearly filled the galleries. Kennedy's widow, Vicki, grew tearful as the vote progressed. President Barack Obama called her afterwards with congratulations.
As he cast his vote, the longest-serving member of Congress in history -- Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia -- said, "This is for my friend Ted Kennedy."
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<<CUT …151 (12/24/09)>> 00:04 "dream a reality"
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says this is also a victory for the late Senator Ted Kennedy.
<<CUT …166 (12/24/09)>> 00:05 "Ted Kennedy, aye"
Senator Robert Byrd
The Senate's most senior member, Robert Byrd, cast his 'yes' vote with a tribute to the late Senator Ted Kennedy, who was a staunch advocate of health reform. ((note sound quality))
<<CUT …168 (12/24/09)>> 00:36 "''
Sagar Meghani (SAH'-gur meh-GAH'-nee)
The late Senator Ted Kennedy's memory loomed large as his former colleagues moved his life's health care work closer to reality. AP Correspondent Sagar Meghani reports from Capitol Hill.
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US Senate passes health care bill, Washington DC., video still
<<APPHOTO DCDA101 (12/24/09)>>
: Victoria Kennedy, widow of Sen. Ted Kennedy hugs Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 24,2009, as Sen. Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn, looks on at center, after the Senate passed the health care reform bill.
