Udall praises Kennedy following news of tumor

Following news Tuesday that U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, U.S. Rep. and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall released the following statement:

“My prayers go out to Senator Kennedy and his family.  He has devoted his public life to championing the hopes and needs of America’s working families. His many accomplishments are well known, but I am particularly affected by this news because his family and mine have enjoyed a warm relationship throughout the years. 

“Senator Kennedy is a natural leader who has always reached across the aisle to bring Democrats and Republicans together to do what is best for our country.  To echo what many have said today:  Edward Kennedy is one of the most effective Senators to ever serve in Congress.  I am confident he will be back at his post soon and I look forward to working with him again as a friend and colleague.”

Regarding the "warm relationship" between the Udalls and the Kennedys: Mark Udall's father, former U.S. Rep. Mo Udall (D-Ariz.), was an early supporter of Ted Kennedy's unsuccessful 1980 presidential campaign. 

Also, Mark Udall's uncle, former U.S. Rep. Stewart Udall (D-Ariz.), helped deliver all 17 of Arizona's Democratic Convention votes for John F. Kennedy in 1960 when rival Lyndon B. Johnson considered those votes safe for him. Stewart Udall subsequently served as JFK's Secretary of the Interior.