U.K. Awards Sen. Kennedy Honorary Knighthood

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Unidentified Man: Madam Speaker, the prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(Soundbite of applause)

ROBERT SIEGEL, host:

At the Capitol today, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressed a joint meeting of Congress. Along with praise for U.S.-U.K. relations, he brought news for a Senate legend.

Prime Minister GORDON BROWN (United Kingdom): I want to announce, awarded by Her Majesty the Queen, on behalf of the British people, an honorary knighthood for Sir Edward Kennedy.

(Soundbite of applause and cheering)

SIEGEL: Brown cited Kennedy's role in the Northern Ireland peace process as one reason for the honor.

MELISSA BLOCK, host:

Ted Kennedy wasn't there. He issued this statement, I accept this honor in the spirit in which it is given, with a continuing commitment to be a voice for the voiceless and for the shared ideals of freedom and fairness which are so fundamental to the character of our two countries.

By the way, we're told by the British embassy that while Gordon Brown called Senator Kennedy sir, only British citizens get to use the title.

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