WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., battling a brain tumor, became ill at a post-inauguration luncheon for President Barack Obama on Tuesday and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital.
There was no immediate word from medical personnel on his condition, although fellow senators said he had suffered an apparent seizure and remained conscious as he was taken for further evaluation.
A spokeswoman at the Washington Hospital Center, where Kennedy was taken, said he was awake and answering questions. His wife Vicki and son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., were with him.
There was no immediate word on what tests would be conducted. Standard procedure in cases like Kennedy's calls for a CT scan to search for any bleeding or any other abnormalities in the brain.
During a talk to members of Congress and others, Obama called attention to Kennedy, saying "I know that while I was out of the room, concerned was expressed about Teddy."
Obama said that Kennedy "was there when the voting rights act passed, along with John Lewis, was a warrior for justice."
"And so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him," Obama added. "And I think that's true for all of us. This is a joyous time. But it's also a sobering time. And my prayers are with him and his family and Vicki."
Sen. Robert C. Byrd, 91, also left the luncheon early, but his office and others said his health was not the reason. Earlier reports indicated that he also had become ill.
Byrd "is currently in his own office...and is doing fine, though he remains very concerned about his close friend, Ted Kennedy," said Mark Ferrell, a spokesman for the West Virginia Democrat.
