U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy commended the appointment of U.S. Sen. John Kerry to be the next chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced that Kerry will take the helm of the influential committee, though he was already in line for the post.

Kennedy, a Hyannis Port Democrat, said Kerry is well-prepared for the job.

"John will do an excellent job as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the nation's fortunate to have him in this high position," Kennedy said in a statement. "I know he'll make significant contributions to our foreign policy in dealing with the many challenges we face in our relationships with other countries, and he'll work well with President [Barack] Obama and Secretary of State [Hillary] Clinton to restore America's respect in the world."