Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., second from right, acknowledges the audience with his wife, Vicki Kennedy, right, Vice-President Joe Biden, left, and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., after a musical birthday salute to Kennedy at The Kennedy Center Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama, center, waves to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., after joining various entertainers in singing "Happy Birthday" during a musical birthday salute to Kennedy, Sunday, March 8, 2009, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Among those joining Obama on stage are Bill Cosby, Lizz Wright, Denyce Graves and James Taylor.
Karen Ziemba performs on stage at The Kennedy Center during a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington. The 77-year-old Sen. Kennedy is battling brain cancer. He returned to Washington for a White House health care summit last week from Florida, where he has been continuing treatment and rehabilitation.
Comedian Bill Cosby performs on stage at The Kennedy Center during a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington. Cosby was host of the show, attended by Massachusetts' other senator, Democrat John Kerry, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Joe Biden.
Caroline Kennedy, right, and Al Hunt talk on stage at The Kennedy Center during a musical salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, March 8, 2009, at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Caroline Kennedy gave her uncle her family's Profile in Courage Award, paying tribute to his efforts to reform the U.S. health care system. She concluded, "We love you, Uncle Teddy."
The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra plays music for a video tribute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., during a musical birthday salute to Kennedy at the Kennedy Center Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Actress Lauren Bacall arrives at The Kennedy Center for a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington. Bacall and Bernadette Peters, singer James Taylor and conductor John Williams were among those who performed.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., second from right, watches President Barack Obama during a musical birthday salute to Kennedy with first lady Michelle Obama, second from left, his wife, Vicki Kennedy, right, and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
Singer Lizz Wright, right, performs on stage at The Kennedy Center with James Taylor during a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., right, and TV personality Chris Matthews arrive at The Kennedy Center for a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Stage actor Brian Stokes Mitchell performs at The Kennedy Center during a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama, center, is joined on stage by various entertainers as they sing to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., during a musical birthday salute to Kennedy, Sunday, March 8, 2009, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, arrive at The Kennedy Center for a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Singer Bernadette Peters arrives at The Kennedy Center for a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Producer Hal Prince laughs during his presentation at a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., at The Kennedy Center Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
President Barack Obama, left, leans in front of first lady Michelle Obama, center, as he talks to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., during a musical birthday salute to Kennedy, Sunday, March 8, 2009, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.
California first lady Maria Shriver arrives at The Kennedy Center for a musical birthday salute to her uncle, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, arrives at The Kennedy Center for a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Actresses Lauren Bacall, left, and Phyllis Newman give a presentation on stage at The Kennedy Center during a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.
Singer James Taylor performs on stage at The Kennedy Center during a musical birthday salute to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Washington.