On Monday, the $79 million facility that sits adjacent to the presidential library of his brother, John F. Kennedy, is scheduled to be dedicated at a politically star-studded event attended by President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and a host of current and former senators of both parties. Kennedy, the Democratic "liberal lion" of the Senate, began to conceptualize the institute long before he became ill, with its centerpiece being a full-scale replica of the chamber where visitors can role-play as senators weighing the pressing issues of the day, family members said in recent interviews. [...] Kennedy's famous ability to work across party lines and cement friendships with Republican colleagues may have helped mute the criticism. The facility is pinning much of its future success on a "Senate Immersion Model," an interactive program in which groups of middle- and high school students enter the re-created chamber to be sworn-in as senators, attend hearings, write legislation, propose amendments, negotiate with their peers and finally debate and vote on a bill — all within two hours. [...] mostly there are reminders of happier times: family photographs, writings or drawings made by his children at young ages and a painting of his beloved Portuguese water dogs, Sunny and Splash.