Dec 1, 2008 7:18 pm US/Eastern
Kennedy Receives Honorary Harvard Degree
CAMBRIDGE (WBZ) ―
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Kennedy became the fourth person to receive an honorary Harvard degree in a convocation held especially for him. The other three were George Washington, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandella.
WBZ
Sen. Edward Kennedy said he was deeply moved to receive an honorary degree at Harvard University late Monday afternoon.
He was originally scheduled to receive the degree at Harvard commencement last spring, but two weeks before commencement, he was diagnosed with the
malignant brain tumor he has been battling.
By receiving the degree in a convocation held especially for him, he became only the fourth person to do so. The other three were George Washington, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandella.
The university recognized the senior Senator from Massachusetts for what it called his lifelong commitment to public service and tireless efforts on a range of social issues from civil rights to health care, employment and education.
The doctor of laws degree was conferred upon Sen. Kennedy by the first woman to be President of Harvard, Drew Faust.
The ceremony was attended by members of Sen. Kennedy's family, his Senate colleagues John Kerry, Vice-President Joe Biden and Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, among many other dignitaries and friends.
Cellist Yo Yo Ma performed at the convocation in Sanders Theatre where the Senator received several rousing standing ovations.
Referring to the election of Barack Obama, the nation's first African-American President, Sen. Kennedy said there was no other time he would rather receive such an honor, "at this turning point in American history."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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