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Kennedy memorial speakers include family, friends

The roster of speakers for Friday night's private "Celebration of Life" memorial service for Sen. Edward Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum:

The roster of speakers for Friday night's private "Celebration of Life" memorial service for Sen. Edward Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum:

_ Paul G. Kirk Jr.: Longtime friend, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, possible interim replacement for Kennedy if Massachusetts changes its law on congressional succession. Chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

_ The Rev. Gerry Creedon: Family friend and Irish immigrant who once headed the McLean, Va., parish attended by Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy.

_ Former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II, D-Mass.: Oldest son of RFK, possible successor in unfolding Senate special election.

_ Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.: Son of the late Sen. Thomas J. Dodd and perhaps Kennedy's closest friend in Senate. May replace him as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

_ Nick Littlefield: Boston attorney, possible interim replacement, former counsel and Senate chief of staff.

_ Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick: leader of Kennedy's home state, first black to hold position.

_ Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.: Reigning Republican leader as party's 2008 presidential nominee. Lauded Kennedy's bipartisan efforts and, in death, labeled him "irreplacable" in the U.S. Senate.

_ Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.: Longtime understudy and now successor as senior senator. As did Kennedy after 1980, enveloped self in Senate responsibilities after presidential aspirations were quashed with unsuccessful 2004 campaign.

_ Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah: Probably closest Republican friend in Senate. Two men shared love of song as well as politicking.

_ Boston Mayor Thomas Menino: Longest-serving leader of Massachusetts capital city, a job once held by Kennedy's maternal grandfather, John "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald.

_ Former Sen. John Culver, D-Iowa: Former Senate colleague, Harvard classmate and football teammate.

_ Vice President Joe Biden: No. 2 Democrat in country and 36-year Senate colleague.

_ Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg: Last link to Camelot era. "Uncle Ted" became surrogate parent after her father, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. Kennedy gave away bride at her wedding, and she rushed to his side after he was stricken with brain tumor in 2008. She and senator dispensed Profiles in Courage awards annually to honor JFK's memory, and Kennedy had hoped she might join him in Senate when Hillary Rodham Clinton resigned to be secretary of state. He eulogized her late brother, JFK Jr., in 1999.

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Compiled by Associated Press writer Glen Johnson.