Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

John Kerry to speak at U. Massachusetts
By Meghan Murphy
Massachusetts Daily Collegian (U. Massachusetts)
09/07/2006

(U-WIRE) AMHERST, Mass. — U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., will speak at the University of Massachusetts Campus Center auditorium Sept. 8, focusing on the power of grassroots campaigning and the importance of student voting.

Massachusetts Victory '06, is bringing Kerry to campus to speak to students about grassroots campaigning at the university level.

Communications Director Cyndi Roy of Massachusetts Victory '06, the coordinated campaign arm of the Democratic Party, said that UMass was chosen for Kerry's visit because the University is allowing students to vote on campus this year in the Cape Cod Lounge in the Student Union.

"For the first time, students will be able to vote and have their voices be heard," Roy said.

Kerry's visit to UMass will kick off a campaign at colleges across the state designed to inform students about the importance of grassroots organization and why they should invest in this campaign, according to Roy.

"You spend your days in class and walking around campus and at the end of the day, you hope when you leave you'll get a good job, be able to buy a home, and live in a safe community," Roy said. "But you don't have to wait until you graduate to reach these goals. By organizing and campaigning now, you'll have a hand in making sure that these people are in place who can help you reach your goals."

The Massachusetts Victory '06 Web site highlights what the group feels the state is lacking, stating that "after 16 years of Republican rule, Massachusetts needs real leadership." Education tops the list, and the Web site states that "Massachusetts ranks 49th in the nation in terms of support for public higher education."

"The goal of Massachusetts Victory '06 is to ensure that Democrats down the ballot are elected," said Communications Director Cyndi Roy of Massachusetts Victory '06.

Kerry will focus on the importance of involvement in grassroots campaigning to help elect the people who can improve students' futures, according to Roy.

There will also be a training session for students who have been recruited as "campus coordinators" at UMass immediately following Kerry's speech. The campus coordinators "will be trained on how to reach their fellow peers on how to get involved in this campaign," Roy said.

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