Senator Claiborne Pell Dead at 90

[Dennis Donovan]

http://www.projo.com/news/content/pell01x_01-01-09_1KCQP48_v1.1945a5c.html

By John E. Mulligan

Journal Washington Bureau

Claiborne deBorda Pell, the quirky Newport blueblood who held the affections of blue-collar Rhode Island and championed better education of the poor during a 36-year Senate career, died shortly after midnight today at his home in Newport. He was 90 years old.

Democrat Pell, who had suffered from Parkinson’s disease since before his retirement from the Senate, died peacefully in the presence of his wife, Nuala O’Donnell Pell, and family members, according to a statement released by the family.

Pell, who served as the U.S. senator from Rhode Island from 1961 to 1997, was perhaps best known nationally for the college grant program that bears his name.

He focused heavily on education, the arts and humanities, and foreign affairs during his 36 years in the Senate. During the latter part of his Senate career, he served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

As his family noted in the statement, the courtly Pell often expressed the definition of his job in seven words: "Translate ideas into actions and help people."
</snip>

Also, I found this touching (from his Wikipedia page):

In 1993, during the bitter confirmation battle over Roberta Achtenberg, a lesbian, to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Pell stated that his daughter was a lesbian, and that he hoped that it would not be a barrier to federal employment for her. Many agree that Pell, arguably one of the most popular U.S. Senators of the later years of the 20th century, helped secure Achtenberg's nomination, making her the first openly gay person to be confirmed by the United States Senate.

Rest in Peace, Senator, and THANK YOU so much for your noble service...:patriot:

[CTyankee]

1. This wonderful man helped my own kids with college loans.

What a great person he was. He used his personal wealth and prestige to better the lives of others. I, too, salute him...

[TheWraith]

2. Boy, that's an interesting typo.

Pell, who served as the U.S. senator from Rhode Island from 191 to 1997, was perhaps best known nationally for the college grant program that bears his name.

Apparently he started his career in the Roman Senate.

[Dennis Donovan]

4. Ha! - it's supposed to be 1961...

;)

I changed it...:)

[TheWraith]

17. Not your fault, it's in the original article. nt

[Unsane]

16. lol

[TheDebbieDee]

3. I received several of the grants named in his honor. .......

RIP, Sen. Pell!

[TahitiNut]

5. That's sad. He was one of my hosts on the floor of the Senate in 1962 - a very rare honor.

:cry:

He and Senator Phil Hart personally hosted USCGA cadets from their states (just a handful of us) and escorted us onto the floor of the Senate (not in session) and then to the VIP gallery in the House when we were in D.C. for JFK's review of the Eagle. It was a very memorable summer.

[monmouth]

6. I received a grant in his name. Thank you Senator, RIP....n/t

[kwassa]

7. I also received Pell grants, and had him as my senator.

Rest in peace, you have left a great legacy.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

8. Thanks for the Pell grant! n/t

[blogslut]

9. Pell grants are putting my child through school

Bless you, Senator Pell. May you rest in glorious peace.

[Odin2005]

10. I wouldn't be going to college right now were it not for Pell Grants.

RIP Senator.

[Eurobabe]

11. Thanks to this man

I was able to buy all my books in college. I received a minimal Pell Grant every semester that covered reading materials.

Rest in Peace sir.

:patriot:

[malaise]

12. Pell was a good man

Rest in peace.

[TygrBright]

13. Godspeed, Senator. Thank you for putting me through college.

I couldn't have done it without you.

A man of outstanding decency, humanity, vision, and competence as a legislator. America is the poorer for his loss.

I hope that when President-Elect Obama and his Education cabinet start working on making college more accessible to today's young people, they remember to tip a hat to the Senator. Maybe reviving the Pell Grants?

respectfully,
Bright

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Very sad, the loss of a man who did so much good...

Godspeed, Senator Pell... :patriot:

Claiborne Pell

Senator Claiborne Pell - Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Delegate to the 25th and 51st United Nations General Assembly; Author




Former Senator Claiborne Pell enlisted in the Coast Guard four months prior to Pearl Harbor. He first served as a ship’s cook and eventually earned a commission. During the war, he served on North Atlantic convoy duty and in Sicily and Italy. He left active duty at the end of the war with the rank of lieutenant but continued serving in the Coast Guard Reserve. Upon returning to civilian life Pell worked many years in foreign affairs. He also was Vice President of the International Rescue Committee. The Knights of Malta decorated him for his refugee work and he received the Knight Crown of Italy for his work on rehabilitating the Sicilian fishing industry. He also received the French Legion of Honor and was decorated by Portugal as well.

In 1960, he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Rhode Island and he served in the Senate from 1961 to 1997. During his distinguished career, Senator Pell served as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also served on the Labor and Public Welfare and Rules and Administration Committees. He is the author of Megalopolis Unbound and co-author of Challenge of the Seven Seas.

He retired from the Coast Guard Reserve with the rank of captain (O-6).


More, including pix...
http://moversandshakersofthesmom.blogspot.com/2008/09/claiborne-pell.html

[lukasahero]

15. God bless you, sir

It was my priveledge to vote for you many times. The quality of your character will surely be missed.

RIP, Senator. :cry:

[NoPasaran]

18. Sad

He was one of the good guys.
:patriot:

[Rhiannon12866]

19. Kick for the night crowd...

:kick: :hi:

[deaniac21]

20. Grant him peace.

[Cetacea]

21. Peace to you, good sir.

One act of kindness. I will not forget you.

[eridani]

22. How about honoring him by better funding of Pell grants? n/t

[Dennis Donovan]

23. Seconded!

:thumbsup:

[Marrah_G]

24. RIP Sen Pell

You helped alot of people, including myself.

[Orsino]

25. I loved those "where's the beef?" commercials.

Seriously, though, Pell was one of the good ones.