As the leader and rule-giver of the Jewish people, Moses speaks to the people in this Sunday's first reading. For nearly a half-century Senator Ted Kennedy (D.-Mass.) was a leader in the Senate who compiled an impressive list of legislative achievements on health care, civil rights, education, immigration, and other issues. Kennedy died Tuesday evening on Cape Cod after a year-long struggle with brain cancer. He was 77.

In a brief statement to reporters at his rented vacation home on Martha's Vineyard, President Obama eulogized Kennedy as one of the "most accomplished Americans" in history--and a man whose work in Congress helped give millions new opportunities. "Including myself," added the nation's first black president.

Kennedy's own hopes of reaching the White House were critically damaged in 1969 by the scandal that came to be known as Chappaquiddick. He sought the White House more than a decade later, lost the Democratic nomination to President Jimmy Carter, and bowed out with a stirring valedictory: "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

More than a quarter-century later Kennedy handed then-Sen. Barack Obama an endorsement at a critical point in the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, explicitly comparing the young contender to the senator's brother, President John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy's death leaves a vacancy atop the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee during the healthcare reform effort. Under Massachusetts law his successor will be chosen by special election. In his last known public act the senator urged Massachusetts state legislators to give Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick the power to name an interim replacement. It is uncertain, however, if that will be done, potentially leaving Democrats in Washington with one less vote this fall.

Source: Articles by Glen Johnson and Bob Salsbert for the Associated Press, CNN, and Manu Raju for Politico