Saturday evening hundreds of U.S. Senate staff and colleagues gathered on the Capitol steps to honor the late Senator Edward Kennedy.The senators' flag-draped coffin was brought by for a brief ceremony led by House Chaplain Rev.Daniel Coughlin,who described the senator as exhibiting true contemplative leadership.Across the street from the Capitol,members of the public assembled.The U.S. Capitol Police estimated the crowd to be about 1,000 people.As the police paced,the crowd chattered and sometimes laughed,lively despite the tropical heat of Washington in August.
Many of the staffers carried small American flags,or stuck them in their pockets.Several of them wore business suits in spite of the oppressive conditions.At least one staffer sported a Boston Red Sox cap-the late senators' favorite team.It was a rare glimpse of just how many people it takes to run the daily operations of the U.S. Senate.Representative Patrick Kennedy(D-Rhode Island),Senator Kennedy's son,told the staffers his father would be very proud to see you all out here today,and I thank you on behalf of my family.After a few prayers and patriotic songs,the cortege moved on to Arlington National Cemetery for a twilight interment,sent off by applause and cheers from the steadfast hard workers.
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