BOSTON -- Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy made his first return to Capitol Hill Monday since he took the summer off to recover from his surgery for terminal brain cancer.

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Looking spry but visibly more frail and using a cane, his snow-white hair perfectly coiffed, a beaming Kennedy, 76, slowly entered the Capitol rotunda with his wife Vicki, and their dogs, and greeted waiting reporters.

The senator said he's eager to get work on some of the major issues facing Congress once president-elect Barack Obama takes office, and said he's "delighted" to be back at work.

“It’s good to be back in the Senate. I am particularly looking forward to seeing my staff and my colleagues and to working in the current brief session on a realistic new stimulus package to help our fellow Americans who are suffering in this economic crisis," Kennedy said.

The Bay State's senior senator said he's looking forward to laying the ground work for early action by Congress on health reform.

Asked if he would be pushing the universal health care bill he said, "I'm very hopeful that this would be a prime item on the agenda. Barack has indicated that this would be a prime issue and I believe that it will be. There are some major issues, obviously, the economy, and also environmental issues but the president-elect has indicated that this is going to be a priority and I certainly hope it will," Kennedy said.

He met with about 100 staffers in the Senate's Russell caucus room, where aides had strung a large blue-and-white banner reading "Welcome Back Senator" across the hall.

Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer after suffering a seizure in May and had surgery in June. He made a surprise trip to Washington in July to vote on a Medicare bill, but spent most of the summer at his Cape Cod Hyannisport compound while he recovered from surgery and underwent treatment for the cancer.

His only other public appearance was a speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Kennedy returned to his Washington-area home a few weeks ago.

"We're very thankful for all the good thoughts and prayers that we've received over the time. We look forward to this session and we're delighted to be back," he said.