1919-2019: de Valera in Boston & 100 Years of Ireland-U.S. Relations
Monday, July 1, 2019, 6:00 PM
On June 29, 1919, Eamon de Valera, future Taoiseach and future President of Ireland, addressed a crowd of 50,000 people at Fenway Park to make his case for Irish independence, marking an inflection point in the relationship between the United States and Ireland. In recognition of this anniversary, the Irish Consulate of Boston and the Kennedy Institute hosted leaders, historians and expert commentators to reflect on the significance of de Valera’s visit to Boston in 1919, and the evolution of relations between Ireland and the U.S. in the 20th century to the relationship and politics today.
This program featured a keynote by noted de Valera biographer, RTE journalist David McCullagh, who shared the history of de Valera’s visit to Fenway Park in 1919 and reflected on his career as a rebel to a statesman. Following the keynote, a panel moderated by Kevin Cullen of The Boston Globe discussed the significance of de Valera’s visit and the evolution of relations between the U.S. and Ireland from the 20th century to today. Panelists included:
David McCullagh, Ph.D., journalist, RTE and author, De Valera: Rise 1882-1932 and De Valera: Rule 1932-1975
Daniel Mulhall, Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.S.
Damien Murray, Ph.D., Professor of History, Elms College
Catherine Shannon, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Westfield State University
Getting to the Point: The Path to Affordable Housing in Massachusetts
Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 6:30 PM
State and local leaders will discuss the housing challenges facing Massachusetts. How does the lack of affordable housing in the Commonwealth affect diverse communities? How does the housing crunch affect quality of life and economic growth in our region? How can the state work with cities and towns across the Commonwealth to create a sustainable housing market? Leaders will share how government and other stakeholders are working to address the need for affordable housing in our state.
Featuring:
• Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager, Town of Arlington, @AdamWChap
• Rachel Heller, CEO, Citizens’ Housing & Planning Association (CHAPA), @CHAPAdotorg
• Mike Kennealy, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, @MassEOHED
• Chrystal Kornegay, Executive Director, MassHousing, @MassHousing
Moderator:
• Adrian Walker, Columnist, The Boston Globe, @Adrian_Walker
Edward M. Kennedy Institute For the U.S. Senate Opens with Historic Ceremony
Edward M. Kennedy Institute For the U.S. Senate Opens with Historic Ceremony featuring President Obama, Vice President Biden & Other Dignitaries
A snapshot of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute inspires the next generation of leaders to become active participants in our democracy.
Visitors who walk through the doors of the Institute’s full-size replica of the United States Senate Chamber and feel the history and character of the Senate come to life.
Getting to the Point on Education Reform in the Commonwealth
State and local leaders will discuss the challenges posed by the current state education funding formula and proposals for reform that meet the needs of students and families throughout Massachusetts.
Speakers include:
• Colin Jones, Senior Policy Analyst, Mass Budget & Policy Center, @MassBudget
• State Senator Jason Lewis, 5th Middlesex, Chair, Joint Committee on Education, @SenJasonLewis
• State Representative Alice Peisch, 14th Norfolk, Chair, Joint Committee on Education, @RepAlicePeisch
• James Peyser, Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, @MassEducation
• Dr. Lorna Rivera, Director, Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy and Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, @GastonInstitute
A look inside the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute
Sen. Ted Kennedy continues to inspire, more than five years after his death. President Obama will travel to Boston on Monday to help dedicate a new institute in Kennedy's name. It honors the senator's passion, commitment and ability to bridge political gaps. Chip Reid received a tour of the center before its official opening.
EMK Institute Building Preview Video
Watch this new preview video for the EMK Institute for the United States Senate and learn more here:
The EMK Institute will be a dynamic center of non-partisan learning and engagement that takes advantage of cutting-edge technology to provide each visitor with a unique and information rich, personalized experience that will bring history alive.
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
2015 Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Dedication Video
Video commemorating the opening of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States, Boston, MA.
Youth Town Hall
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation will convene a Youth Town Hall with millennial-aged adults ahead of the general election. The program will take place in the Institute’s full-scale reproduction of the U.S. Senate Chamber in Boston. A networking reception will follow the event.
During the program, a moderator will lead a discussion among the participants about the vision they have for their communities and the country, priorities they believe candidates should have, and their level of civic engagement. The program will alternate between polling on tablets and live, unfiltered conversation. The Institute will live-stream the session and virtually integrate participants from remote locations.
Congressional Centers & Civic Engagement at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute
A convening in January 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. Supported by the Democracy Fund.
A conversation with author Maurice Fitzpatrick on John Hume in America: From Derry to D.C.
Author and filmmaker Maurice Fitzpatrick visited the Institute for a conversation of his book, “John Hume in America: From Derry to DC”, tracing John Hume’s historic role creating a framework for peace in Northern Ireland. Members of the Kennedy and Hume family offered remarks.
Senate Immersion Module (SIM) at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute
At the heart of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a full-scale reproduction of the U.S. Senate Chamber. Here, groups of up to 100 can participate in the Senate Immersion Module (SIM). The SIM is a 2.5 hour facilitated experience in which participants engage in role-play, deliberation, negotiation, and debate to build a bill and build an understanding of the legislative process. Groups work together to consider significant historic issues, as well as current policy topics facing the country today.
Supported by tablet-delivered content and expert staff, each participant assumes the role of a Senator with an individual profile, and is charged with representing their state, party, and constituent concerns as they debate the issues of the legislation they are crafting. Senators proceed through bill-building—morning business, sub-committee, committee and floor action—culminating in debate and a final vote on the Senate floor. Curriculum materials are available to help groups prepare for their SIM visit, and also reflect on their experience afterwards.
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government encouraging participatory democracy invigorating civil discourse and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities.
EMKI Groundbreaking: Jack Wilson
EMKI Groundbreaking: UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley
Lion of the Senate
Lion of the Senate - When Ted Kennedy Rallied the Democrats in a GOP Congress
In November 1994 the election swept a new breed of Republicans into control of the United States Congress. Led by Speaker Newt Gingrich, the Republicans were determined to enact a conservative agenda that would reshape American government. Had it not been for Ted Kennedy, they would have succeeded.
In 1994, after defending his Senate seat against challenger Mitt Romney, Kennedy came back to Washington to find Democrats, including President Clinton, demoralized and leaning toward “compromises” that would adopt much of the Republican agenda. Undaunted, Kennedy pressed the agenda he would have championed had his party held power. He rallied the Democrats. He reached across the aisle to craft and pass key progressive legislation. And he stopped the Gingrich revolution in its tracks.
Nick Littlefield and David Nexon tell this story of a bare-knuckled and sometimes hilarious fight in the United States Senate. It is a political lesson for all time.
We apologize for the sound quality in various portions of this video.
Can We Save Our Democracy: A Conversation with Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Many Americans have been troubled by recent political rhetoric about rigged elections and locking up political rivals, including Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, who have studied the demise of other democracies around the world, and their research has become increasingly relevant to the United States, as outlined in their book, How Democracies Die.
Levitsky and Ziblatt will visit the Institute for a discussion of what lessons can be gleaned from other nations, and share a roadmap for how we can save our democracy. The conversation will be moderated by Heather Cox Richardson, Professor of History at Boston College.
A book signing will follow, and copies of the book will be available for sale at the Institute’s gift shop.
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
Getting to the Point with Governor Bill Weld
Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 6:30 PM
Governor Bill Weld will visit the Institute for a moderated Getting to the Point conversation to discuss his vision for a better America and share his policy platform for his candidacy for president of the United States. Alison King, Political Reporter, NBC Boston, will moderate this conversation. Governor Weld’s appearance is part of a series of Kennedy Institute programming in conjunction with the 2020 election cycle.
Governor Weld is a former two-term Governor of Massachusetts, first elected in 1990. Prior to being elected, Governor Weld served in President Ronald Reagan’s Justice Department as Assistant U.S. Attorney General in charge of the Criminal Division and as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. He also served as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is an active member of the Council on Foreign Relations, served for five years as a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, and is an associate member of the InterAction Council, an elected group of former heads of state from throughout the world, which convenes to consider and report on global issues.