After suffering a seizure in May and then being diagnosed with brain cancer, Senator Edward Kennedy died on Tuesday at the age of 77.

Kennedy, affectionately called "Teddy," is both praised and heralded as a pundit who consistently passed laws that mattered. He fought for his liberal principles and was able to successfully navigate across party lines to get vital legislation passed. Whether it was the Voting Rights Act or Fair Housing Law, Kennedy championed legislation that made Americans' lives better.

Kennedy pushed for an increase in the federal minimum wage and was famously quoted as saying that civil rights was "still the unfinished business of America." His endorsement of President Barack Obama in January helped solidified Obama's win.

Since 1969, Kennedy pushed for health care reform, calling it "the cause of [his] life," and was seen by many as an integral component of the Obamacare being drafted today. Starting with our president, here's what leaders have to say about the legacy of Ted Kennedy and why he will be sorely missed:







President Barack Obama:

The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party. And at times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth and good cheer. He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines.

NAACP President Ben Jealous:

Senator Kennedy was a courageous leader for civil and human rights. He championed more civil rights initiatives than any other senator in U.S. history. Even as he took his last breath, he was passionately fighting for the health care reform our nation critically needs. His dedication and vision will be profoundly missed. The thoughts and prayers of the entire NAACP family go out to the Kennedys at this time of sorrow and mourning.


Congressman Charles Rangel:

His life and the legislation that he sponsored in Senate made a real difference, changing all of our lives for the better. For African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and other historically underrepresented minorities, there was no bigger advocate, no bigger defender of equal rights and opportunities, in the Senate than Teddy. Civil rights, women's rights, human rights, affordable housing, education, health care -- wherever there was a battle to be fought in defense of the American dream, Teddy was there.

NAACP Advocacy Senior Vice President Hilary Shelton:

He was always so passionate and inspiring on the floor of the Senate, at forums and in his everyday dealings with the NAACP that everyone he came in contact with would walk away with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to issues of human dignity and justice.