I have a problem with that statement. Indeed, I think it's the problem with statism. My property rights don't emanate from Teddy Kennedy! I would agree with the founders that they are "endowed by our creator," and transcend any state. Even from an evolutionary perspective, though, my rights don't come from Kennedy--they come from my willingness to defend them against Kennedy.
Teddy Kennedy doesn't create your rights. But the framework of government laid down in the Constitution does create legal rights for you -- it gives you an equal and free place in a political structure where you can vote, get a free trial, etc. That structure is supposed to defend your pre-state rights like to life and property; of course, you have the right to change that framework if you so choose...