Political Friends and Foes Eulogize Sen. Ted Kennedy

Aug. 28, 2009— -- Tonight, the people who knew the late Ted Kennedy best -- his family and colleagues -- remembered one of the most polarizing and influential lawmakers of the last half century.

"A Celebration of Life," held at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston where Kennedy's body has lain in repose, brought luminaries from both sides of the partisan political aisle. The exclusive service was a prelude to Saturday's funeral mass and burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Colleagues praised him as a man of class, loyalty, sympathy and humor, with a deep love of life and country. The evening was filled with tearful laughter and fond anecdotes of the senator sailing, laughing and comforting others during hard times.

"He bore more hurt and heartache than most human beings are ever asked to endure, but at every opportunity he brought hope and joy and optimism to more people than we will ever know," Paul Kirk Jr., chairman of the library's foundation, said at the opening of the ceremony.

Kennedy's nephew, former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy, D-Mass., gave an emotional speech about the role his uncle played as a father figure in a family hit by so many devastating losses, including the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his father Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., one of Kennedy's best friends in the Senate, memorialized him as a friend who always remembered to call after every triumph and had a booming laugh to buttress life's painful moments.

Dodd recalled a few weeks ago, Kennedy had called himwhen he was coming out of surgery for prostate cancer.

"Well," Dodd said Kennedy roared into the phone. "Between going through prostate cancer surgery and doing town hall meetings, you made the right choice!"

He praised Kennedy as one of the best senators the nation has ever produced and part of every important law passed in the last half century.

"Some people born with a famous name live off of it," said Dodd. "Others enrich theirs. Teddy enriched his."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Kennedy had opposing political views that never got in the way of a friendship based on true admiration.

McCain recalled Kennedy's "infectious laugh of his that could wake the dead and cheer up the most beleaguered soul."

He praised Kennedy as a fierce opponent, a strong ally, and a man of his word.

"When we were agreed on an issue and worked together to make a little progress for the country on an important issue, he was the best ally you could have," McCain said. "You never had even a small doubt that once his word was given and a course of action decided, he would honor the letter and spirit of the agreement."