Senators Kennedy & Byrd Given Medical Attention During Inaugural Luncheon

First Published: January 20, 2009 3:16 PM EST Credit: AFP/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Caption US Senator Ted Kennedy arrives on the inaugural stage ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States at the US Capitol January 20, 2009Sens. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., have been taken from an inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama.

A Capitol police officer stood up at the luncheon and said medical attention was needed.

The 76-year-old Kennedy, who had been attended Obama’s oath-taking on the Capitol’s West Front, has been battling a brain tumor.

During a talk to members of Congress and others, Obama called attention to Kennedy, saying “I know that while I was out of the room, concerned was expressed about Teddy.”

Obama said that Kennedy “was there when the voting rights act passed, along with John Lewis, was a warrior for justice.”

“And so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him,” Obama added. “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 (Kennedy’s wife) Vicki.”

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