AMHERST — U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, D-Brookline, will speak at Amherst College on Saturday in honor of the 100th anniversary this year of the birth of his great-uncle, President John F. Kennedy.
The speech is part of a symposium called “Poetry and Politics: A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of President John F. Kennedy.”
At 4:15 p.m., Rep. Kennedy will speak on the steps of the Frost Library at 61 Quadrangle Drive. On Oct. 26, 1963, President Kennedy gave a speech at the dedication of that same library, not far from where his great-nephew will speak on Saturday.
“A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers,” said President Kennedy to the Amherst audience 54 years ago.
Symposium events begin at 1 p.m. in the Cole Assembly Room in Amherst College’s Converse Hall at 100 Boltwood Ave., and feature a film of the late commander-in-chief’s speech at Amherst College 54 years ago.
Current faculty and students will make remarks, with an introduction by Amherst College President Biddy Martin, and after the film, a discussion titled “JFK at Amherst College: Amherst Student Reflections.”
“The values that Kennedy championed in 1963 — opportunity, truth and service to the common good — continue to define Amherst’s mission and goals today,” said Martin in a statement.
Amherst College’s archives of President Kennedy’s Frost Library speech include an audio recording and a photo gallery.
According to an Amherst College statement, Rep. Kennedy is a fitting speaker not only because of his relation to the 35th president, but also because of parallels between the two Kennedys’ careers: both were first elected to a federal office as U.S. representatives from Massachusetts, both first elected as representatives in their early 30s and both encouraged college students, regardless of political leanings, to consider political careers.
Less than a month after giving his Frost Library speech, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Some long-classified documents pertaining to the assassination were released to the public Thursday.
“I absolutely tend toward disclosure of documents. That being said, it would have been nice if there was some communication between this administration and members of our family,” said Rep. Kennedy of the release.
The location of Rep. Kennedy’s speech is within a short walking distance of the earlier symposium events. “Poetry and Politics” is free and open to the public, and there will be refreshments.