Kennedy died in 2009 after a battle with brain cancer . Politicians from both political parties lauded the late Boston senator 's collegial spirit at the dedication of an institute bearing his name . Built next to the John F. Kennedy presidential library in Massachusetts , it was was envisioned by Kennedy before he was diagnosed . 'No one made the Senate come alive like Ted Kennedy , ' Obama said ; he served in the upper chamber with Kennedy for three and a half years . Kennedy backed Obama for the Oval Office in 2008 over fellow senator Hillary Clinton of New York , comparing him John F. Kennedy . Known as the 'Lion of the Senate , ' Ted Kennedy held his position as statesman in the U.S. Senate for nearly 50 years .
Kennedy died in 2009 after a battle with brain cancer . Politicians from both political parties lauded the late Massachusetts senator 's collegial spirit at the dedication of an institute bearing his name . Built next to the John F. Kennedy presidential library in Boston , it was was envisioned by Kennedy before he was diagnosed . 'No one made the Senate come alive like Ted Kennedy , ' Obama said ; he served in the upper chamber with Kennedy for three and a half years . Kennedy backed Obama for the Oval Office in 2008 over fellow senator Hillary Clinton of New York , comparing him John F. Kennedy . Known as the 'Lion of the Senate , ' Ted Kennedy held his position as statesman in the U.S. Senate for nearly 50 years .