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Groundbreaking Held For Kennedy Senate Institute

From left, Vicki Kennedy, widow of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, architect Rafael Vinoly and Kara Kennedy, daughter of the late senator, shovel dirt during groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, in Boston. (AP)
From left, Vicki Kennedy, widow of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, architect Rafael Vinoly and Kara Kennedy, daughter of the late senator, shovel dirt during groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, in Boston. (AP)

On Friday members of the Kennedy family and local and national political leaders broke ground on the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

The facility will be located next to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum at Columbia Point in Dorchester.

The groundbreaking ceremony was full of stories about Ted Kennedy. Many spoke about his commitment to public service and how the institute will inspire others.

Sen. Scott Brown said he’s "always appreciated (Kennedy’s) dedication to service, his sense of humor and the fact that he was so zealous that he fought for the things he truly believed in.”

Rep. Ed Markey said the new institute will be a learning lab.

"Here at the Kennedy Institute children from across this entire region and this nation will be able to learn about how our government works and it will inspire the next generation in the same way that past several generations have been inspired by the Kennedy family."

The Kennedy Institute will be a representation of the Senate Chamber and will archive every action taken by the Senate.

The building will be completed in two-and-a-half years. Planners have raised $60 million in private donations and pledges; $38 million will come from federal funds.

Earlier:

This program aired on April 8, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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