Mar 9, 2009 7:08 am US/Eastern
Sen. Kennedy Receives Profiles In Courage Award
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Sen.Ted Kennedy (File Image)
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
As part of
Sen. Ted Kennedy's birthday celebration in Washington, the 77-year-old was presented with the
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Kennedy was presented with the award during a star-studded event at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Sunday night.
"Every year, Sen. Edward Kennedy is nominated for his statesmanship and leadership on the most pressing issues facing out nation," said Caroline Kennedy, president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. "His passionate advocacy on behalf of civil rights, human rights, voting rights, economic, social and environmental justice – and his long battle to achieve quality affordable health care for all Americans – are each deserving of an award."
Kennedy has not been eligible for the award while he served on the Profile in Courage Award selection committee, but this year, Kennedy was given the honor that celebrates his brother's legacy.
Sunday's event also featured a special guest; Pres. Barack Obama. The President
led a Kennedy Center crowd in a performance of "Happy Birthday", capping the tribute to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
Kennedy is the third senator from Massachusetts to get the Profiles in Courage Award.
The award is named after Pres. Kennedy's 1957 Pulitzer-Prize winning book, "Profiles in Courage," which tells the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers by taking principled stands for unpopular positions.
The JFK Library Foundation created the Profiles in Courage Award in 1989 to honor Kennedy's commitment and contribution to public service.
Current winners of the award include UN Secretary Gen. Kofi Annan, Senators Russ Feingold and John McCain and the first responders to the devastation of September 11.
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