Senator Edward M. Kennedy braved the slush and rush of a post-St. Patrick's Boston morning to deliver a singular message to Innovations 2002: "You truly are America's classroom." With striking warmth and the occasional flash of humor, Kennedy addressed a standing-room-only crowd of about 1,500 Community College professionals whom he flatly referred to as "today's miracle workers." Kennedy minced no words about the challenges facing the Community College in 2002. He told the audience they could rise to these challenges "only if states and the federal government give you the resources to meet the demands in our communities and in the economy." It is "dead wrong," he said, "for your budgets to be cut at a time when the nations workers depend on training to move into the future." Kennedy made clear his support of - and deep belief in - the role of the Community College in the Information Age. The Keynote Speech came at the general session of Innovations 2002, where nearly 1,800 conference-goers have gathered at the Marriott Copley. From nearly every state and several countries, practitioners have come to make Innovations 2002 a success. Kennedy couldn't help noticing the high spirits and sense of mission pervading the conference. With a nod to the community colleges of Massachusetts, and also to the Bunker Hill Gang which has been so crucial to the Conference's success, Kennedy expressed pride in the job community colleges "do so well every day." "Your innovation," he told the audience, "means better lives for millions of Americans."

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