Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »
Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy is to be granted an honorary knighthood, British prime minister Gordon Brown said today.
The 77-year-old senator is to be honoured for his service to the Northern Ireland peace process and for improving the relationship between Britain and the US.
Senator Kennedy is being treated for a brain tumour and was unable to attend the announcement of his honour in a speech to both Houses of Congress by Mr Brown.
Addressing Congress, Mr Brown said: “I hope that you will allow me to single out for special mention today one of your most distinguished Senators, known in every continent and a great friend.
“Northern Ireland is today at peace, more Americans have health care, more children around the world are going to school and for all those things we owe a great debt to the life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy.
“And so today, having talked to him last night, I want to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has awarded an honorary knighthood for Sir Edward Kennedy.”
Mr Kennedy, who has been a senator for his home state of Massachusetts for more than 46 years and is the most senior member of the famous Irish-American political dynasty, was diagnosed with brain cancer in May last year.
It came after he was rushed to hospital with stroke-like symptoms.
He has since had chemotherapy and radiation to treat the malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain tumour.
Mr Kennedy suffered another seizure during President Barack Obama’s inaugural lunch in January, but was released from hospital a day later.
The father of five was elected to the US Senate as a Democrat in 1962 following the election of his brother as president.
He has been intricately involved with the Northern Ireland peace process, meeting with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and other politicians during and beyond the Good Friday agreement.
He famously snubbed Mr Adams during the latter’s St Patrick’s Day trip to the US in 2005 following the brutal killing of Robert McCartney.
