As you might have heard by now, Massachusetts Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy, passed away Tuesday night after a long battle with brain cancer.

Known as the “Lion of the Senate,” Kennedy played a vital role in the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act.

Ted was also a warrior for environmental issues and worked hard to protect natural resources and to develop alternative energy sources. From publicly supporting the study of the Outer Intercontinental Shelf, to working vigorously to prevent drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Ted Kennedy was never afraid to give a shout-out to Mama Earth.

Kennedy is survived by his second wife, Victoria Ann Reggie Kennedy, his first wife, Joan Bennett; and five children — Patrick, Kara and Edward Jr. from his first marriage, and Curran and Caroline Raclin from his second.

He will be missed.

To read more about Ted Kennedy’s legacy, visit CNN.com.