AZ senators: Kennedy loved Senate, country

PHOENIX -- Arizona's two senators, both Republicans at opposite ends of the political spectrum from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, remembered the Massachusetts Democrat as a legislator strong in his convictions and unrelenting in pursuing them.

"In his nearly 50 years of service in the Senate, Ted Kennedy witnessed and led some of the most important debates in our nation's history," said Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl. "He loved the Senate, respected its traditions and mastered its processes. He was a zealous advocate for his beliefs and a skilled legislator in putting those convictions into action."

Kyl said, "The Senate has lost one of its most respected and passionate members."

Sen. John McCain called Kennedy "the last lion of the Senate."

"He was a formidable opponent, valuable ally and a dear friend," McCain said of the Massachusetts Democrat who died Tuesday night of brain cancer at age 77.

McCain told News/Talk 92-3 KTAR's "Arizona Morning News" that Kennedy "was totally dedicated to the institution and his work, but there also was a very important attribute that he had, which is less common than you might think, and that is his word was his bond.. Even if it meant he had to vote against his party's position, or in some cases his own position, in order to make the right concessions and get the right results."

The Arizona Republican said, "Major issues were not addressed in the Senate without the imprint of Sen. Ted Kennedy.

"I've been against him on some issues, and I've been with him on other major issues and, frankly, I would have rather been on the same side." Kennedy, a long-time champion of health care reform, has been missed during the current debate while he was battling cancer, McCain said.

"That fact that we're basically gridlocked on the issue is a testimony to his absence, unfortunately. I think we would have had more serious negotiations and discussions, and inclusion of our side of the aisle, if he had been there."

McCain recalled a favorite memory of Kennedy -- when McCain and Sen. Russ Feingold were receiving "Profile in Courage" awards at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. McCain said he did not want to go to Boston until the last minute because his family was celebrating his son, Jimmy's, birthday in Arizona. Sen. Kennedy, however, talked him into arriving in Boston earlier, McCain said, and his son was met by a Coast Guard cutter to take him on a tour of Boston Harbor, got three birthday cakes and numerous presents.

"Jimmy had probably the most memorable birthday of his entire life," said McCain. "That was trademark Ted Kennedy."

McCain summed up, "Ted Kennedy loved the institution of the Senate, loved the state of Massachusetts, revered his brothers and he became the last lion of the Senate."

He said, "He loved his country and had a sense of duty. He held a very different philosophy than I hold, but I hold his philosophy and his positions in respect because they were honestly held."