U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) JD ’76 (above with Boston College students) was the keynote speaker in a program on bipartisanship, held on March 19 at the Boston College Law School. Speaking before a packed audience of students and faculty, Kerry and five U.S. representatives with Boston College degrees—Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) JD ’77, Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) JD ’78, Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) JD ’91, Edward Markey (D-Mass.) ’68, JD ’72, and Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.) JD ’73—spoke about the challenges of working in politics. The panel was moderated by former Republican senator Warren Rudman JD ’60.
The seven discussed the nuances and complexities of bipartisanship, as well as global warming, issues of race and gender, and balancing the federal budget.
The lawmakers urged students to take up public service. “These are BC graduates who are using their education at the highest level of government,” said law professor Robert Bloom, who is a former teacher of Kerry’s.
“Achieving Bipartisanship: The Challenge for National Leadership” was the last in a series sponsored by Boston College Law School to celebrate its 75th anniversary.