US Senator Ted Kennedy collapses during inaugural luncheon

Correction — January 23, 2009

On Tuesday afternoon, Robert Byrd's office corrected the reports used for this article. Mark Ferrell said, "Sen. Byrd did not have a medical issue - he is just fine."

Associated Press. "Aide: Byrd left Hill lunch when Kennedy stricken" — Washington Post, January 20, 2009

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

According to reports, two United States Senators, Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd, suffered medical problems during a luncheon with new U.S. President Barack Obama.

Kennedy collapsed as a result of a seizure and was taken away by paramedics in a wheelchair. In May, Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer, which required an operation. Kennedy is at Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. where his family says he is awake and talking. At the time of his collapse, he was reported to be sitting with John Kerry, another Massachusetts Senator, 2004 presidential candidate, and close friend of Kennedy.

President Obama commented on the situation during the luncheon: "And so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him, and I think that's true for all of us. This is a joyous time. But it's also a sobering time. And my prayers are with him and his family and Vicki [Kennedy's wife]."

U.S. Senator Byrd was also taken out of the luncheon after he had reported that he had trouble eating. Byrd, 91 is the oldest member of the U.S. Senate and the longest-serving Senator in the history of the body. Reports indicate that Byrd is doing well.

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Sources

Warren P. Strobel. "Sens. Kennedy, Byrd leave Obama lunch in medical distress" — The Miami Herald, January 20, 2009
David Stout. "Kennedy Suffers Seizure at Inaugural Luncheon" — The New York Times, January 20, 2009
"Kennedy Suffers Seizure at Inaugural Lunch" — Fox News Channel, January 20, 2009
"Developing: Sens. Kennedy And Byrd Leave Luncheon For Medical Reasons" — All Headline News, January 20, 2008
"Kennedy Collapses At Presidential Luncheon" — WCVB-TV, January 20, 2009
Shawn Windsor. "Kennedy collapses, CNN says" — Detroit Free Press, January 20, 2009

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Please note that due to our archival policy, we will not alter or update the content of articles that are archived, but will only accept requests to make grammatical and formatting corrections.

Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.