American lost one of its greatest leaders last night with the death of Teddy Kennedy at age 77. Senator Kennedy was one of the longest serving and most effective Senators in American history. He was always a champion of the cause of the oppressed and downtrodden.

Public health lost a great and valued supporter with his demise. It is a great shame that he did not live to see health care financing reform enacted into law. It was a cause he had long fought for.