Kennedy friend Kirk named interim senator

BOSTON, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick Thursday named Democrat Paul G. Kirk Jr. to fill late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat on an interim basis.

"He is a distinguished lawyer, volunteer and citizen, and he shares the sense of service that so distinguished Senator Ted Kennedy," Patrick said at a news conference at the Massachusetts State House.

Patrick said Kirk, 71, a longtime Kennedy friend, would not seek the open seat in a Jan. 19 special election, the Boston Globe said.

"But for the next few months, he will carry on the work and the focus of Senator Kennedy, mindful of his mission, and his values, and his love of Massachusetts," Patrick said.

The governor was surrounded by Kennedy's immediate family. Kennedy died in August after battling brain cancer.

President Barack Obama said he was pleased that Massachusetts will be represented fully in the U.S. senate "as important issues such as healthcare, financial reform and energy will be debated."

"Paul Kirk is a distinguished leader, whose long collaboration with Senator Kennedy makes him an excellent, interim choice to carry on his work until the voters make their choice in January," Obama said in a statement.

Kirk worked as a special assistant to Kennedy from 1969 to 1977, and currently is chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Kirk was master of ceremonies at Kennedy's memorial service the night before his funeral.