Lee Fentress, Chairman of the Board, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate

Welcome,

Thank you for visiting the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate website. As Chairman of the Institute’s Board, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in 2011, and look forward to a year of great progress in 2012. At the Institute, our goals are to create a unique educational center that will deepen the American people’s appreciation and understanding of their representative democracy, and inspire future generations to get involved in public service. That was our friend Ted’s great vision, and, because of the help of so many, it’s becoming a reality today.

In the past year we’ve initiated construction on a magnificent and beautiful building, designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly on the University of Massachusetts-Boston campus adjacent to the iconic John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. We’ve also begun design of our exhibitions, which will bring history alive with state-of-the-art interactive media technologies. We have initiated development of our educational programs, which we expect will serve up to 150,000 visitors a year and reach many times more through web-based learning applications.

I first met Ted Kennedy many years ago, when I was working for Senator Robert F. Kennedy as he pursued the Presidency in his inspiring 1968 campaign. Over the years that followed, I was proud to call Ted a friend, and when he explained his plans for the Institute — a place that he believed could invigorate public interest in American democracy and encourage the American people to become involved in the civic life of their nation — I knew I wanted to be part of it.

I’ve been proud to serve as Chairman of the Board for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. Today, I am happy to tell you that we’re well on our way to achieving his great goal and that we expect 2012 to be a year of great accomplishment and progress.

I thank all of you for your continued interest in the work we’re carrying out at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and look forward to reporting many more substantial milestones in the year ahead.

With appreciation and gratitude,

Lee Fentress
Chairman
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate