After a long battle with brain cancer, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) passed away at age 77 last night at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Throughout his long career in politics, Senator Kennedy was tireless in standing up for working people, even when doing so wasn’t easy or popular. He championed a range of causes — health reform, family and medical leave, a fair minimum wage, civil rights, immigration reform, and too many others to list — whose common intent was to ensure that even the humblest among us has the chance to live and work with dignity. He leaves behind him a legacy as a unique figure with both the idealistic fire and the political savvy to turn that vision into reality. He will be missed.

In honor of his memory, I’ll be aggregating statements and tributes to him from organized labor and beyond here all day today. You’re welcome to post your own tributes and memories in the comments on this post.

To start things off, here’s the statement from our Chair, Anna Burger:

American workers have lost one of their greatest champions and our country has lost a great leader. Senator Ted Kennedy was a lifelong advocate for the values and ideals of the American Dream. He was a stalwart - lion of the Senate - giving a voice and hope to all working families. He led the fights that have the biggest impact on providing greater economic security and opportunity for all: from giving workers the right to have a voice at work, to raising the minimum wage and worker safety standards, to creating comprehensive immigration reform.

Sen. Kennedy dreamed of a nation of progress where justice, fairness and opportunity for all laid at the heart. The most fitting tribute to honoring the life and legacy of this great statesman is for Congress to pass quality affordable health care for all this year.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Vicki, his children and the rest of the Kennedy family.

President Barack Obama:

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.

UFCW:

His passion, his vision and his devotion to the issues that matter ensured that working men and women had a voice in the halls of Congress.

SEIU President Andy Stern:

In Senator Kennedy’s America, every family has access to affordable healthcare, every worker has a paycheck that supports their family and a secure retirement, every child has a right to a quality education, and every immigrant can achieve the American Dream.

Senator Kennedy spent his entire adult life, through tragedy and triumph, in pursuit of this America.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger:

Some people think the way to win a political debate is by shouting louder than the other side. Ted Kennedy knew better.

Howard Dean:

When President Obama signs a Health Care Reform bill late this year, Ted Kennedy may not be standing there next to him, but his presence will be deeply apparent in the Oval Office as the President’s pen moves across the page.

Harold Meyerson:

More than any other American, Ted Kennedy kept liberalism’s flame burning through the dark of the Reagan era. The liberals who continue his battles will need all the wit and smarts and joy and passion for justice that he brought to those fights.

The United Farm Workers:

[Y]ear after year and time after time, Senator Ted Kennedy has spent much of his public career standing shoulder to shoulder with the farm workers during marches and rallies, political campaigns and legislative battles from the halls of the United States Senate to the dusty fields of California.

AFT President Randi Weingarten:

Ted Kennedy was a man of gravitas and great accomplishments, yet he wore himself lightly. He was the standard-bearer for progressive policies, yet forged close alliances with opponents to ensure that the right thing became a reality. He built coalitions, and he saw the humanity in all people.

Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen:

Because of Senator Kennedy, millions of American families have been able to achieve the American Dream, afford an education for their children, are safer on their jobs and have a secure retirement.

An emotional Vice President Joe Biden (video via Politico):

Every day I was with him… he restored my sense of idealism, and my faith in the possibilities of what this country could do.

Paul Krugman:

I remember the days, several decades ago, when Ted Kennedy was treated — mainly, but not only, on the right — as a figure of derision. He was mocked for his appearance, his personal life, his unabashed liberalism.

And now he’s remembered as a great man. The thing is, he didn’t change — he always was.

Former labor secretary Robert Reich:

America has had a few precious individuals who are both passionate about social justice and also understand deep in their bones its practical meaning. And we have had a few who possess great political shrewdness and can make the clunky machinery of democratic governance actually work. But I have known but one person who combined all these traits and abilities.

David Bonior, Chair, American Rights at Work:

His willingness to think beyond himself, and champion issues of social and economic justice, will be remembered by all.

Singing Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has written a song in Kennedy’s memory:

(Editor’s note: It’s good!)

Senator John McCain (R-AZ):

Many will recall his convivial nature, his humor, his thoughtfulness. We will praise as his greatest strength the integrity of his word. When he made a promise to you, he kept it, no matter what.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney:

Ted Kennedy was most optimistic when sailing into the wind. He took glee in a good fight, but never preened or paraded when he won. And he was clear about his values.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa:

Ted Kennedy will stand as an inspiration to generations of Americans as a progressive icon. It’s rare for someone born into such privilege to be so concerned about the plight of working people, but Kennedy was such a person.