President Barack Obama hands Senator Edward Kennedy, the first pen as he signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act on April 21, 2009, at the SEED School of Washington, a public boarding school that serves inner-city students facing problems in both the classroom and at home, in Washington. From left are, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis., the president, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Victoria Kennedy, and Sen. Kennedy.
The ailing Senator had been absent from the health care fight due to his own health battle. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in May of 2008.
For nearly half a century, Sen. Edward Kennedy has guarded his family's political legacy. Stricken with cancer and as Congress takes up his signature issue, he is tending to his own. Kennedy asked Massachusetts lawmakers to change state law to give Gov. Deval Patrick, a fellow Democrat and supporter of President Barack Obama, the ability to appoint an interim replacement to Kennedy's seat should Kennedy be unable to continue serving.
