"This is the cause of my life, new hope, that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American, north, south, east, west, young, old, will have decent quality health care as a fundamental right," Kennedy said.

The last surviving brother of President Kennedy gave Barack Obama's campaign a pivotal boost with his endorsement during the primary season.

Caroline Kennedy introduced her uncle, saying that for anyone who has benefited from Medicare, Head Start, minimum wage standards, and the Children's Health Insurance Program Ð which he co-sponsored with Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch Ð that "Teddy is your senator, too."

After an emotional tribute focusing on his work during his 46 years in the U.S. Senate, Kennedy took the stage appearing to be relatively strong, although his voice was somewhat hoarse, but said that nothing would keep him away from the convention.

"We have never lost our belief that we are all pulled to a better country and a newer world and I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United States Senate," shouted Kennedy to chants of "Ted-dy! Ted-dy!"