Ted Kennedy was taken out of the Statuary Hall luncheon after suffering an apparent seizure -- a few minutes after Sen. Robert Byrd was removed in his wheelchair under the supervision of medical personnel.

"He was there when the voting rights act passed….so I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him, I think that’s true for all of us," Obama told dignitaries gathered at his Congressional lunch . "It’s a joyous time but it’s also a sobering time..My prayers are with him and his family."

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who attended the lunch, said he had heard Kennedy was "doing better," citing Kennedy's fellow Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry.

House Chaplain Daniel Coughlin, who observed Kennedy's treatment by paramedics, said he appeared to be conscious and "responding" to treatment.

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) said Kennedy's hand began shaking and he appeared to have "seizure" or "a stroke" and was almost immediately helped by emergency personnel.

Byrd was conscious and had been having trouble eating, according to a witness.

Kennedy, who underwent brain cancer surgery last year, was taken to the Rayburn room after suffering an apparent convulsion before being rushed to a hospital, House officials told our Patrick O'Connor.

A police radio picked up a call for paramedics to help someone stricken with a seizure, O'Connor said