Albany gathering will discuss RFK’s legacy

Bobby Kennedy campaigning in Los Angeles

 

By Irish Echo Staff

A roundtable discussion entitled “The Life and Legacy of Robert Francis Kennedy” is being hosted this evening by the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany, this to mark the 50th anniversary of RFK’s assassination.

And Albany City Hall’s carillon bells will today be playing two musical laments in memory of Seantor Kennedy.

While representing New York in the U.S. Senate, and having just won California's Democratic presidential primary, Bobby Kennedy was gunned down June 5, 1968 at a Los Angeles campaign event. He died from his injuries the next day.

Sign up to The Irish Echo Newsletter

Sign up today to get daily, up-to-date news and views from Irish America.

In a statement, the museum said that its staff and trustees extended their appreciation to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan for arranging to have the City Hall carillon bells play "Danny Boy" and "The Minstrel Boy" for 30 minutes beginning at noon.

“These songs help to express the sorrow that lingers for many New Yorkers decades after Senator Kennedy was killed in the prime of his life. They also underscore his background as a descendant of Irish immigrants,” said a statement from the museum.

The forum examining the many contributions of Bobby Kennedy to New York State and the nation will begin at 7 p.m. at the museum, located at 370 Broadway in New York’s state capital.

The discussion, said the release, is expected to include remarks by Elizabeth Stack, director of the museum, retired business executive George McNamee, the Rev. Peter Young, State Senator Betty Little of Queensbury, former Assemblyman Jack McEneny, Tom Keefe of Albany's Robert F. Kennedy Democratic Club, and veteran New York journalist, Joe Mahoney.

“A lively and informative discussion is expected,” said the release

More at www.irish-us.org.

 

Donate