Ted Kennedy collapses during inaugural lunch for Obama

8220;Sen. Kennedy is awake,talking with family and friends,and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation,and will be released in the morning,8221; Aulisi said.

Kennedy,76,was taken in an ambulance to the hospital from the luncheon. It was his fellow Senator from the State,John Kerry,who held his hand tightly throughout the episode.

8220;He8217;s Senator Kennedy in good shape. I8217;m absolutely confident he8217;s going to be out of here tomorrow. And go on from there,8221; Kerry,Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,told reporters outside the hospital.

8220;His original sickness was diagnosed as a result of a seizure that he had,and he8217;s had a couple of other minor ones that have occurred as a medicine was changed or something took place,8221; he said.

Kerry was with Kennedy when he collapsed. 8220;No,I think that 8212; look,nobody 8212; nobody wants to see a friend and a colleague go through a seizure,period,8221; he said.

8220;I think that he was so upbeat,enthusiastic and excited about the day,I think he didn8217;t want anything to detract from that in any way. And so,you know,I think he8217;s,like all of us,anxious to focus on Barack Obama and focus on the meaning of today,8221; he said.

Kennedy,diagnosed with brain cancer last year and now undergoing treatment,insisted on attending the historic event,despite advice from his aides against it.