Updated

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton was endorsed for president Thursday by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental activist and scion of one of the nation's most prominent political families.

"Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to bring the war in Iraq to an end and reverse the potentially devastating effects of global warming," Kennedy said in a statement released by Clinton's campaign.

"I watched proudly as Hillary won over New Yorkers across the state in her race for the Senate seat my father once held," he said. "Since then, she's been re-elected in a landslide victory and proven that she is ready to lead this nation from her first day in office. Hillary will inspire the real change America needs."

Kennedy's father, Robert F. Kennedy, was a New York senator and candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination when he was assassinated in 1968.

On Thursday, Clinton said she was honored to have his support and counsel.

"Bobby has worked tirelessly to protect our environment and raise awareness about the dangers of global warming and pollution," she said in a statement.

Kennedy is an attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and president of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is also a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic and is co-host of "Ring of Fire" on Air America Radio.

Kennedy was to campaign for Clinton at stops Thursday in eastern Iowa. He angered some Iowans in 2002 when, during a visit to the state, he said that large-scale hog producers were a greater threat to the U.S. than Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.

Of Kennedy's past comments, Clinton spokesman Phil Singer said, "We aren't going to agree with everything that every one of our supporters has said."