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Sen. Edward Kennedy, often called the lion of the Senate, leaves behind an enduring legacy in politics that touches on everything from civil rights to healthcare. The Democratic senator also leaves behind countless friends and allies, on both sides of the political aisle.

Both everyday Americans and those who worked firsthand with Senator Kennedy are sharing reflections about the senior senator from Massachusetts after he died late Tuesday. Here is a sampling of their tributes:

President Obama, speaking from Martha鈥檚 Vineyard, where he鈥檚 vacationing with his family, called Kennedy 鈥渁n extraordinary leader鈥� and a 鈥渟ingular figure in American history.鈥�

鈥淗is ideas and ideals are stamped on scores of laws and reflected in millions of lives,鈥� he said.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) of Utah, a good friend of Kennedy鈥檚 despite their opposing political affiliations, said in a statement, "Today America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant, and leader of the Senate. And today I lost a treasured friend鈥�. Ted Kennedy's name will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the United States Senate and the work completed within its chamber."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) said Kennedy had 鈥渁n unparalleled ability to effect change." She added, "No one has done more than Senator Kennedy to educate our children, care for our seniors, and ensure equality for all Americans.鈥�

Speaker Pelosi also pledged to move healthcare reform forward, which Kennedy had previously called the cause of his life.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), who contested Kennedy's Senate seat in the 1994 election, said, 鈥淭he last son of Rose Fitzgerald and Joseph Kennedy was granted a much longer life than his brothers, and he filled those years with endeavor and achievement that would have made them proud.鈥�

鈥淧eople are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family,鈥� said Nancy Reagan, wife of former President Reagan, in a statement from Los Angeles. 鈥淏ut Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another."

Sen. John Kerry (D), also of Massachusetts, called Kennedy the 鈥渢he best senator, the best advocate you could hope for."

John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society, issued a statement: 鈥淭ruly one of the great champions in this battle to fight cancer, Senator Kennedy has led a passionate effort against this disease during his more than 40 years in the U.S. Senate ....鈥�

鈥淗e鈥檒l be respected as a person who was able to support his liberal positions and get along with people of opposite views,鈥� said Philip Cahill, a Massachusetts constituent who has lived in the state for more than 80 years. 鈥淗e was very helpful to the state. It鈥檚 a great loss.鈥�

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Kennedy's legacy as Senate's liberal lion

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