Kennedy talks the talk in Lynn

By Nicole Martinez/The Daily Item
Tuesday, September 26, 2006

LYNN - U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy received a standing ovation as the guest speaker at a Monday morning breakfast in support of literacy in Lynn.

The Lynn Literacy Task Force held its second annual Lynn Area Chamber Literacy and Education Breakfast at the North Shore Community College gymnasium to help gain support for its cause. The room was filled with community members who came to lend their support.

"Our mission is to make sure that every person who wants to read gets to read," NSCC President Wayne Burton said. "That is why we are here today."

The Lynn Literacy Task Force is composed of community-based organizations with representation from Lynn Public Schools, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, North Shore Community College and the North Shore Workforce Investment Board. Their goals include promoting and developing an effective literacy center of activities to educate residents, increase workers' skills and advance families to self-sufficiency.

"Literacy is the most important key to unlock the world of knowledge and opportunity," Kennedy said. "It's a talent for an entire lifetime - for success in the early years in high school, in college, and in careers."

He also pointed out that it is very important for everyone to have the chance to learn in a good school, prepare for a good job, raise a healthy family, and become a productive member of society.

"Providing a quality education for every American is a national obligation, and today I commend each of you for your dedication to live up to that ideal," he said.

Operation Bootstrap Executive Director Don Edwards said the only way to make success is by working together. He said the LLTF is working toward promoting and developing an effective literacy center of activities to educate residents, increase workers' skills and advance families to self-sufficiency.

"We don't want businesses to look outside the community for workers because they can't find what they need in Lynn," he said. "And we don't want businesses to move out of the city for that same reason. We need to help build the immigrant community to help keep those businesses.''