60th Anniversary Event: Working Across the Aisle

In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the beginning of Ted Kennedy’s long and impactful career as a Senator, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute will host two virtual conversations highlighting his unique approaches to serving his constituents and his nation.

In Working Across the Aisle, we are honored to be joined by key members of Senator Kennedy’s former staff as well as collaborators across the aisle in the Senate to discuss how Senator Kennedy used the tactics of bipartisanship and goal-oriented strategy to push forward public policy. This virtual program will include historical context and first-person accounts reflecting on Senator Kennedy’s accomplishments as the fifth-longest continuously serving member of the United States Senate.

The conversation will include:

• Melody Barnes, Executive Director, UVA Karsh Center of Democracy and Senator Kennedy’s former chief counsel on Judiciary Committee

• Patricia Knight, former Chief of Staff to Senator Orrin Hatch

• Michael Myers, former Managing Director of Policy, the Rockefeller Foundation, Senator Kennedy’s former chief counsel and staff director

• Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY)