Annual Report 2018 Mission 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. 3 ince its founding, the Institute has been a powerful voice for participatory democracy and Scivil discourse in this country. In 2018, the Institute’s work was more urgent than ever. The organization is an essential partner not just in educating people about how government works, but also in why civic engagement is one of our greatest and most important responsibilities. The Institute provides the environment for people with disparate ideologies to come together, to find common ground, and to develop innovative approaches to address critical issues. The Institute also convenes local and national partners that support the work of students and communities in building a pipeline of diverse leadership and ideas. We reflect on the state of our union and – as Senator Kennedy taught us – we also look ahead with optimism about what we can accomplish together. At the Kennedy Institute, we are inspired to see the enthusiastic engagement of visitors who walk into our replica of the United States Senate Chamber to debate and vote on the issues of the day. We feel hopeful as we watch young people negotiate and reach common ground to pass legislation in our simulated Senate program. And we are awed when visitors feel so inspired by their experience that they pledge to be more involved in their communities – by volunteering, by voting, or by running for office. As we began 2018, the Institute was pleased to welcome Mary K. Grant, Ph.D. as our new president. During this year of transition, with Dr. Grant’s leadership, we developed a new strategic framework to help guide our work, recruited new leadership to the Board of Directors, and received valuable support from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are new programs, exhibits, and services underway; and there is a renewed commitment to building the organization’s fundraising program. We are thankful for the creative and strategic work of the team at the Institute and grateful to our colleagues on the Board for their leadership and support. Some of these accomplishments are highlighted in this report. Without question, there is a hunger for increased civic engagement. Americans want to have their voices heard. They want to know how they can participate in the important issues of our day. The Kennedy Institute will continue to serve in a leadership role for civic engagement and civil discourse in this country. “To preserve our vibrant democracy for future generations, I believe it is critical to have a place where citizens can go to learn first-hand about the Senate’s important role in our system of government.” — Senator Edward M. Kennedy James J. Karam Victoria Reggie Kennedy Chair of the Board President of the Board 5 Year in Review 2018 January February March April April April April May Students take part in the Visitors become senators for Pete Souza, Former Chief Official Former Senate Majority Leader Massachusetts Lieutenant Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) Mayors Ruthanne Fuller of U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo shares We The People competition, a day in a fictional world via White House Photographer for George Mitchell (D-ME) prepares Governor Karyn Polito talks about speaks on the importance of Newton and Yvonne Spicer of her immigration story at the showcasing their knowledge of the Institute’s Super Powers President Obama, signs copies to deliver remarks commemorating the value of women serving women’s voices in civic and Framingham discuss being the Boston #StandsWithImmigrants the U.S. Constitution. Senate Game. of his book, Obama: An Intimate the 20th anniversary of the Good in leadership roles at the 2018 political life. first women mayors in their cities. program. Portrait. Friday Agreement. Women in Leadership Conference. May May June July July September October October Hosts of the podcast “Pod 82nd U.S. Attorney General Congressman Joe Kennedy III The Institute welcomed Future Senators pose in the Massachusetts Health and Human Holocaust survivor Tomi State Representative Andy Save America” encourage voter Eric H. Holder, Jr. discusses (D-MA-4) takes a photo with a nearly 100 young leaders for Institute’s photo booth during Services Secretary Marylou Sudders Reichental and filmmaker Vargas of Haverhill speaks participation and civic activism gerrymandering and the guest following a conversation a day of activities through Free Fun Friday. discusses the current issues at stake Gerry Gregg discuss their film during a panel on Hispanic in the midterm elections. importance of active participation on immigration policy. the Massachusetts legislative for women’s health care. Condemned to Remember after leadership in government. in the political process. internship program. its screening at the Institute. October October October October November December December December Students participate in the Wilnelia Rivera comments on Kid Convention participants State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz Boston City Councilor Lydia 68th U.S. Secretary of State Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Congressman Rodney Davis (R- Seat at the Table Project at the strategies to energize voters in create their own campaign of Boston speaks with students Edwards shares why she John Kerry is welcomed by a Pressley reflects on her monumental IL-13) assists Congresswoman Lisa Kennedy Institute. the Commonwealth during a buttons to support issues they during Hispanic Heritage Month. decided to dedicate her career full-house before discussing his victory to represent Massachusetts’ Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large) panel co-hosted with WBUR. care about. to public service. memoir Every Day is Extra. 7th Congressional District. in displaying a Reconstruction-era family memento as a symbol of America’s resilience and progress. 6 7 Founders Board of Directors American Federation of State, County James J. Karam and Municipal Employees Chair of the Board American Federation of Teachers Victoria Reggie Kennedy Amgen Inc. Co-Founder and President of the Board Bank of America Biogen Foundation The Coca-Cola Company Andrew Card Jr. Eileen and Jack Connors, Jr. Ranny Cooper Feinberg Rozen, LLP The Honorable William “Mo” Cowan John and Cyndy Fish Stephanie A. Cutter Genzyme, a Sanofi company The Honorable Thomas A. Daschle GE Foundation The Honorable Christopher Dodd IMPACT and Ironworkers Local Union 7, Boston The Honorable Linda Dorcena Forry John Hancock The Honorable Judd Gregg Bill and Robie Harris Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Cody Keenan Victoria Reggie Kennedy The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation Michael Mathis Laborers’ International Union of North America The Honorable Martin L. Meehan National Education Association Barry Mills Partners HealthCare Katherine Newman Raytheon Company Fred A. Siegel David M. Rubenstein Service Employees International Union Barbara A. Souliotis Robert Frederick Smith Henry M. Thomas III Starr International Foundation United Association of Union Plumbers and Fitters United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America a new set of K-12 state standards for history and The Commonwealth funding makes it possible for Expanded Access for K-12 students with social studies that integrates civics education and the Institute to continue to make its award-winning engagement into all grade levels, and specifically simulation programs and tours available to all Funding from the Commonwealth designates 8th grade with a year-long civics Massachusetts students for no admission cost. In requirement. addition, state funding supports a project that was The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has This important recognition coincides with a launched with the assistance of a federal grant to recognized the important role that the Kennedy substantive change in how Massachusetts “The Institute is at work aligning its programs with turn onsite simulation programming at the Institute Institute plays in educating Massachusetts integrates civic education into state educational new state standards for history and social studies into learning experiences that can be transported school students in grades K-12. In 2018, the standards, and represents the culmination of and making it simple for teachers to match unique into teachers’ classrooms via the web and live- Commonwealth provided $500,000 to the years of important civics education-related Institute programs with student needs,” said linked cameras. State funding has also allowed the Kennedy Institute to support its educational collaboration between the Department of Mary K. Grant, president of the Institute. “We are Institute to expand services to teachers, including programming and to facilitate the expansion of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) grateful to the legislature and the governor for teacher professional development, expansion of its technological capacity to serve more students and educators and nonprofits dedicated to civics. their support and investment in our efforts.” curricular resources, and hosting DESE’s statewide through remote access. As a result of those partnerships, DESE released civics education conference. 10 11 Topics Voted on: Honest Ads Act Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2017 ONSHORE Act Nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for