Colleagues wish Kennedy well

WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Senate colleagues extended their support and well-wishes to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Kennedy has risen to challenges before and "we are confident he will rise to this one, as well.

"And anyone who knows Ted Kennedy also knows that he is a fighter."

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., broke into tears as he spoke of Kennedy during the Senate session, The Politico reported.

"I want to take a moment to say how distraught and terribly shaken I am over the news of my dear friend, my dear, dear friend, Ted Kennedy," Byrd said. "Ted, Ted, my dear friend, I love you, and I miss you."

President George Bush said he and his wife Laura "are concerned to learn of our friend Senator Kennedy's diagnosis. Ted Kennedy is a man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength and powerful spirit."

Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said Kennedy's "courage and resolve are unmatched."

Kennedy is "the last lion in the Senate," said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., explaining "he remains the single most effective member of the Senate."

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said Kennedy was "a fighter for his entire life, and I have no doubt that he will fight as hard as he can to get through this."