Kennedy remembered on campus for rousing rally in 2004

Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy, the youngest member of 20th century America’s most famous political family, died Aug. 25 at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., at the age of 77. Nationally, tributes are pouring in from both sides of the aisle for his nearly 50 years of Senate service, his commitment to social justice and his often-bipartisan approach to legislating.

On the UW-Green Bay campus, Kennedy is remembered for a rousing campaign stop in 2004 when he stumped for then-candidate John Kerry, who was also a senator from Massachusetts.

Kennedy spoke to a Phoenix Sports Center gymnasium full of some 1,500 students and community members on a cold day in February. Whether fans of the senator’s unabashedly liberal politics or not, audience members were treated to booming oratory and a passionate pitch from an old-school campaigner.

A past Log newsletter recalls that, at the time, people with UW-Green Bay ties played leading roles in the event welcoming the legendary Kennedy to campus. The Phoenix Pep Band under the direction of Prof. Kevin Collins played warm-up, student Nathanael Isaacson of the College Democrats club welcomed the crowd, and alumni Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton and State Sen. Dave Hansen ’71 introduced Kennedy and Kerry.

Here are some photos of Sen. Kennedy at the event.

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