TED KENNEDY, PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS 'THANK YOU AND GOODBYE!'

As President Barack Obama says his 'thank you and goodbye' to one of a kind American, who left indelible marks on the nation's political landscape; Icheoku, alongside many other Americans and friends world-over alike, mourn the passing of a great statesman, Senator Edward Kennedy!

Ted died on Tuesday, August 26, 2009 at his Cape Cod Massachusetts home, of brain cancer. He was 77.

In President Obama's remarks, he said of Edward Kennedy, "I wanted to say a few words this morning about the passing of an extraordinary leader, Senator Edward Kennedy. Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counselor, and a friend. And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread. Since Teddy's diagnosis last year, we've seen the courage with which he battled his illness. And while these months have no doubt been difficult for him, they've also let him hear from people in every corner of our nation and from around the world just how much he meant to all of us. His fight has given us the opportunity we were denied when his brothers John and Robert were taken from us: the blessing of time to say 'thank you -- and goodbye'.

"The outpouring of love, gratitude, and fond memories to which we've all borne witness is a testament to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives. His ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives -- in seniors who know new dignity, in families that know new opportunity, in children who know education's promise, and in all who can pursue their dream in an America that is more equal and more just -- including myself. The Kennedy name is synonymous with the Democratic Party. And at times, Ted was the target of partisan campaign attacks. But in the United States Senate, I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer."

"He could passionately battle others and do so peerlessly on the Senate floor for the causes that he held dear, and yet still maintain warm friendships across party lines. And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. His extraordinary life on this earth has come to an end. And the extraordinary good that he did lives on. For his family, he was a guardian. For America, he was the defender of a dream. I spoke earlier this morning to Senator Kennedy's beloved wife, Vicki, who was to the end such a wonderful source of encouragement and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with her, his children Kara, Edward, and Patrick; his stepchildren Curran and Caroline; the entire Kennedy family; decades' worth of his staff; the people of Massachusetts; and all Americans who, like us, loved Ted Kennedy."

The President also issued a 'Proclamation' in his honor accordingly, "Senator Edward M. Kennedy was not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy. Over the past half-century, nearly every major piece of legislation that has advanced the civil rights, health, and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. With his passing, an important chapter in our American story has come to an end. As a mark of respect for the memory of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on August 30, 2009. I also direct that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of his interment. I further direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same periods at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fourth". President Barack Obama.

Edward Kennedy was recently awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. Icheoku's most memorable liners of Ted Kennedy was his conclusion of the concession speech to Jimmy Carter in 1980 when he intoned, "The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on!" His endorsement of then Senator Barack Obama presidential campaign was a big shot in the arm for the then fluttering effort. He also gave the Obamas' the gift of BO, their first dog!

According to his funeral plans, Edward Kennedy will lie in state for two days at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, beginning on Thursday August 27 through Friday 28; with a memorial service scheduled there on Friday night. A requiem funeral mass will be said on Saturday morning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston, and thereafter his remains will be flown on Saturday afternoon for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC area. His funeral eulogy will be delivered by the President!

Edward Kennedy is survived by wife Vicki Kennedy, a daughter, Kara Kennedy Allen; two sons, Edward Jr. and Patrick Kennedy, a congressman from Rhode Island, and two stepchildren, Caroline and Curran Raclin. It would appear that cancer of some sort runs in his immediate family - Edward Jr. lost a leg to bone cancer in 1973 at age 12? Kara had a cancerous tumor removed from her lung in 2003 and in 1988, Patrick had a non-cancerous tumor pressing on his spine removed.

Echoing President Barack Obama, Icheoku reiterates, although Edward's extraordinary life on this Earth has now come to an end, the extraordinary good that he did lives on. We dedicate the rest of this week through Saturday to his memory! Ted was a Titan!