Ted Kennedy was taken out of the Statuary Hall luncheon after suffering
an apparent seizure -- a few minutes after Sen. Robert Byrd was removed in his
wheelchair under the supervision of medical personnel."He was there when the voting rights act passed….so I would be
lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him, I think
that’s true for all of us," Obama told dignitaries gathered at his
Congressional lunch . "It’s a joyous time but it’s also a sobering
time..My prayers are with him and his family."
Byrd was conscious and had been having trouble eating, according to a
witness.Kennedy, who underwent brain cancer surgery last year, was taken to the
Rayburn room after suffering an apparent convulsion before being rushed to a
hospital, House officials told our Patrick O'Connor.A
police radio picked up a call for paramedics to help someone stricken with a
seizure, O'Connor said.
Both Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Byrd Suffer Medical Distress at Inauguration Lunch
Byrd's health has been failing of late, and Kennedy underwent brain cancer surgery last year.