U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, is not giving up on his friend Ted Kennedy.

The Massachusetts senator may have been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor Tuesday, but his long-time colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee says Kennedy's a fighter.

And Feingold says Kennedy's up to the challenge.

"My thoughts are with Senator Kennedy and his entire family today," said Feingold this evening. "His fighting spirit is legendary, and I know that he will meet this difficult moment as he has met so many others, with the tremendous strength that I and so many others admire.  He is a truly great senator and a friend, and I join everyone in the Senate, and Americans across the country, in wishing him a full and speedy recovery."