President Barack Obama paid tribute to his friend and mentor Edward Kennedy at a funeral mass for the senator today.
Obama's eulogy to Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy hailed him as the ‘greatest legislator of our time’ who became a hero to America's underclasses despite his privileged background.
Speaking before 1,500 mourners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston, Obama said: “We do not weep for him today because of the prestige attached to his name or his office.
“We weep because we loved this kind and tender hero who persevered through pain and tragedy - not for the sake of ambition or vanity; not for wealth or power; but only for the people and the country he loved.”
Drawing parallels with his own struggles the president said Kennedy represented a different time in history, when political adversaries could have differences without their patriotism being called into question.
Obama said Kennedy had ‘surpassed the expectations’ placed on him as part of America’s foremost political dynasty and he praised him for raising the children of his brothers President John F Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, who were both assassinated.
Kennedy’s flag-draped casket was carried through the rain to the Basilica at around 10.40am local time.
The church was crowded with the most powerful figures in US politics, including former presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter along with members of the influential Kennedy dynasty.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who is married to Kennedy's niece Maria Shriver, actor Jack Nicholson and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson also attended.
Relatives, including Kennedy’s young grandchildren led the prayers, quoting from the Democrat senator’s speeches on healthcare, equality and immigration.
His widow Victoria sat in the front row and choked back tears throughout the Roman Catholic Service.
Ted Kennedy Junior paid an emotional tribute to his father’s perseverance in the face of adversity and personal tragedy.
He said: “He was not perfect but he believed in redemption. He never surrendered and never stopped trying to right wrongs.
“My father taught me than even the most profound losses are survivable.”
Jokingly he then added: “He even taught me some of life’s harder lessons such as how to like Republicans.”
World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed two pieces during the service, being joined by the tenor Placido Domingo for the second one.
Kennedy’s coffin will now be flown to Washington DC, where he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery next to the graves of his older brothers.
Last night an Irish style wake was held for the friends and family of Kennedy, who died on Tuesday aged 77, following a battle with brain cancer.
The memorial at the John F Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts, was attended by statesmen from both American parties, including vice-president Joe Biden, Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who married into the Kennedy family, and Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
Earlier more than 50,000 people attended a funeral procession in the city as his flag-draped coffin was led through the streets.
Edward 'Teddy' Kennedy died on Tuesday evening at his home at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Once tipped as a future president like his brother, Kennedy's political hopes were dashed in 1969 when he left the scene of a car accident on Chappaquiddick Island in which Mary Jo Kopechne, a young political activist, drowned.
He went on to become the third longest serving senator in America's history, the elder statesman of the Democratic Party and a liberal with an unparalleled influence on social legislation.link....
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