Boston Foundation salutes Senator Kennedy

Boston –The Boston Foundation released the following statement today by Paul S. Grogan, President and CEO of the Foundation.

Today the Boston Foundation mourns the passing of our peerless senior senator, Edward M. Kennedy, while celebrating his incalculable impact on our region and its people.

During his decades of service in the United States Senate, Ted Kennedy never forgot his roots or the people of Greater Boston. We fondly recall his visit to the Foundation when he described in gripping detail how many pivotal moments in our organization’s history were interwoven with his own life story and family’s efforts on behalf of those less fortunate.

We honor his extensive legislative accomplishments on key issues, from education to health care, which have dramatically improved the lives of Americans near and far. We particularly celebrate the critical role he has played in helping our region to regain its competitive edge through innovative investments in science and technology.
 
Moreover, we salute Senator Kennedy for his tireless promotion of our city and region. His boundless promotion of all things Boston has helped us sustain our global acclaim as a shining City on a Hill, and we are grateful for his service to the Commonwealth and our nation.

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The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the nation, with assets of $763 million.  In Fiscal Year 2008, the Foundation and its donors made close to $79 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of $113 million. The Foundation is made up of some 900 separate charitable funds established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes.  The Boston Foundation also serves as a major civic leader, provider of information, convener, and sponsor of special initiatives designed to address the community’s and region’s most pressing challenges.  For more information about the Boston Foundation, visit www.tbf.org or call 617-338-1700.