Biden likens Kennedy to an older brother

(NECN: Dorchester, Mass.) – The number two Democrat in the nation, Vice President Joe Biden, was one of the speakers at the Celebration of Life memorial service for Senator Edward M. Kennedy Friday night. Biden, who lost his wife and daughter in a 1972 car crash, cited Sen. Kennedy’s graciousness in supporting him following the accident. “He sort of took on the role of being my older brother,” Biden said. “He just was there all the time when I never asked. I never could really understand, to tell you the truth, at first. I didn’t understand why he was going out of his way for me this way.” Biden said that Sen. Kennedy went out of his way to put him on committees which he ended up chairing. The vice president took umbrage with the use of the phrase “end of an era” when talking about the passing of Sen. Kennedy. “Take a look at this incredible family,” Biden said. “Take a look at this generation of Kennedy’s, which possesses more talent, more committment, more grit, more grace than any family I’ve ever seen. So when they say that this is the end of the Kennedy era, I want you to realize your parents collectively left America a lot more than this great library, a lot more than landmark legislation, a lot more than inspirational leadership — they left us you. And maybe as your pop would say, because of you, the dream still lives.” Material from The Associated Press used in this report.