City Council President Michael Ross's statement on the passing of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy:

“From a young age, Senator Kennedy was taught that to those whom much is given, much is expected. He took that lesson to heart, fighting for the most vulnerable of Americans. What I most admired about the Senator was his ability to build a coalition when others thought it would be impossible. Kennedy had an unparalleled capacity for bringing parties with disparate issues to the table and finding a solution to some of our nation’s biggest challenges, from civil rights to health care. He inspired generations of leaders, both at the national and municipal levels, to help those who need it most.”