CCB MEDIA PHOTO
President Obama speaks at the dedication of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
DORCHESTER – In near freezing temperatures and with a light snow falling, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate was dedicated in an outside ceremony Monday, just steps from the John F. Kennedy Library on Columbia Point.
The late Senator Kennedy had wanted the institute that bears his name to be near the library, a companion for all time.
Several speakers became emotional expressing how Kennedy, “the liberal lion of the senate” and a ferocious debater, inspired them to persevere to right wrongs, help those less fortunate and devote their lives to public service, as Kennedy himself had done.
Senator Kennedy, “Teddy” to his close friends and family, loved the United States Senate—the collegial atmosphere, the fights for a cause, the passage of legislation that helped people across the country.
He felt that if Americans, especially young people, knew more about the senate, it would inspire them to get more involved in their community, perhaps even go into public service themselves.
BRUCE T. MARTIN/COURTESY OF THE EDWARD M. KENNEDY INSTITUTE
The exterior of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Dorchester. The institute opens to the public on Tuesday.
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, as envisioned by Kennedy himself, will open to the public today.
Its purpose, according to Dr. Jean F. MacCormack, the institute’s president, is “to demonstrate the awesome power of our democracy.”
That was just what Kennedy, who is one of the eight longest serving senators in the history of this country, had wanted, according to his widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, president of the board of directors of the institute.
Thirty-six years ago, when he dedicated his brother’s library nearby, he pointed out the low-lying field where the institute now stands to his wife. “He had a vision that something extraordinary could rise from it,” she said.
The institute’s exhibits, she said, are “an entirely new model of civic engagement,” something her husband wanted.
Victoria Reggie Kennedy recalled that her husband often said, “When you become a senator, something changes inside you. You start to think about more than ourself. You start to think about the country. He wanted to build a place where all of us could do that.”
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Victoria Reggie Kennedy
Kennedy felt that if more citizens knew how government worked, they would participate more and they would be less cynical about politicians.
Yesterday, the dedication of the center featured keynote speaker President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Republican Senator John McCain, along with what appeared, Obama joked, to be most of the politicians in the commonwealth.
Obama said he may not have known Kennedy as long as some of the other speakers on the stage, but he had an abiding respect for him.
“No one made the senate come alive like Ted Kennedy,” Obama said. He said he hopes the institute will plant the seed in young people that makes them interested in politics and willing to become involved.
Kennedy’s two sons, Ted Jr., now a state senator in Connecticut, and Patrick, a former congressman from Rhode Island both spoke at the ceremony.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Patrick Kennedy acknowledges his mother Joan Kennedy, who received a standing ovation.
In addition to the President, Vice President, and McCain, there were even more big Washington DC names, former Senator Trent Lott, Republican from Mississippi and former senate majority leader, former Senator Tom Daschle, Democrat from South Dakota who also once served as senate majority leader.
“Yes, a Republican from Mississippi,” Mr. Lott began his speech, “is proud to be here.”
The point of having staunch Republicans at a dedication for such a passionate Democrat was not lost on those gathered. Kennedy was someone who reached across the aisle—who could disagree about an issue without making it personal.
“Oh, yes, we disagreed,” Lott said. “We had some fiery discussions.” But then they would come together in a bipartisan way to work out their differences over legislation.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Patrick Kennedy
McCain also said he had some hearty arguments with Kennedy over the years.
“We could get a little heated. He loved a good fight. He had a real zest for political argument. . . . We all listened to him. He was hard to ignore,” McCain said.
As McCain put it, Kennedy could fight harder than anyone, but after it was all over, he would shake your hand and invite you out for lunch.
“We all know the senate would be a little more productive and a lot more fun with Ted,” McCain said.
The commonwealth’s two senators, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey both lauded Kennedy’s ability to inspire. There was also Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.
Walsh said he and Kennedy were born at the same hospital not far from the institute and never forgot where he came from.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Edward M. Kennedy Jr., now a state senator in Connecticut.
“He changed this neighborhood and he changed this country for the better,” Walsh said.
Governor Baker, a Republican, said he respected Kennedy and saw first hand how much he accomplished using three qualities, his skill at building relationships, his trustworthiness and his follow through.
The institute is open year-round Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Every day the institute will feature “Today’s Vote” on an issue of the day. The program features actors debating the issue and gives visitors an opportunity to debate the issue on the “senate floor.”
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Boston Pops Orchestra Conductor Keith Lockhart with Brian Stokes Mitchell in one of Senator Kennedy’s favorite songs, “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'”.
All Massachusetts school children will have free admission to the institute and an elaborate curriculum has been devised for visiting school classes. Children will be assigned a senator to play and will then go into the chambers to act the part, along with debating the issues and taking votes.
Adults visiting the institute will also get to play senator in the chambers, as well as see Kennedy’s office. The office has been carefully reproduced with mementos from his beloved Hyannisport home and even includes a tennis ball under the desk which he used to throw to his dogs to fetch.
The exhibit space was designed by Ed Schlossberg, husband of Kennedy’s niece, Carolyn Kennedy Schlossberg. The architect for the 68,000-square-foot building, which sits just steps from the John F. Kennedy Library, was Rafael Vinoly, who created a spare, modern and elegant exterior.
Admission to the institute is $16 for adults, $14 for Massachusetts residents; children $8 (Massachusetts children are free).
