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Plans for Kennedy Senate institute unveiled

This computer generated photograph provided by The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate shows the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, front building, flanking the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, rear building, on Boston's Columbia Point. Nearly one year after the senator's death, architectural plans were unveiled on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate, including an exact replica of the chamber where Kennedy spent 47 years. The approximately 44,000-square foot facility, to be built with a combination of private and federal money. (AP Photo/Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Rafael Viñoly)

 

Architectural plans have been unveiled for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, which will sit adjacent to his brother's presidential library in Boston. 

The 44,000-square foot facility, designed by architect Rafael Vinoly, will be built with a combination of private and federal money. A centerpiece of the institute will be a replica of the Senate chamber where Kennedy served for 47 years until his death from brain cancer last August. 

The institute's president and CEO, Peter Meade, says Kennedy envisioned a facility where visitors, especially students, could learn the history of the U.S. Senate and participate in mock debates on historical and modern-day issues. 

Meade says the institute has so far raised about $50 million in private donations and $38.6 million in federal funds. 

Groundbreaking is set for September.

 (AP Photo/Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Rafael Viñoly)

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