A $100,000 theater award honoring the late Sen. Edward Kennedy has been established in New York.
The announcement was made Thursday by one of his sisters, former Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, and Columbia University.
Pulitzer-winning playwright Tony Kushner will serve on the board.
The award is called The Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History.
The EMK Prize will be given annually to the author of a new play or musical. Columbia's libraries will work with the winners to create online study and teaching guides.
The first winner will be announced on Kennedy's birthday — Feb. 22.
The Massachusetts senator died of cancer in 2009.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
