Sponsor of first Pell Grant dies at age 80
Melissa Stelter, Clarion Copy Editor
Issue date: 1/14/09 Section: News
Former Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell, best known as the sponsor of the legislation that created Pell Grants, passed away on Jan. 1, 2009 at the age of 90.
Born in New York City on Nov. 22, 1918, Claiborne Pell was born into a family with a tradition of public service; his father and great-great-grandfather both served in Congress. His great-great-grand uncle, George Mifflin Dallas, served as both a senator and vice-president under President James K. Polk.
In the days leading up to America's involvement in World War II, Pell enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. During the war, he served in Sicily and Italy on North Atlantic Convoy Duty. From 1945 until 1952, Pell served in Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Washington, D.C. as a Foreign Service Officer in the State Department.
In 1960, Pell was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, representing his home state of Rhode Island. He would remain in this position until retiring in 1997. From 1987 until 1994, Pell also served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In 1973, Senator Pell sponsored the bill that created the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, a program that would provide grants to financially needy students seeking a higher education. In 1980, these grants would be renamed Pell Grants. In the years since the grants were established, approximately 54 million American students have benefited from this legislation.
Senator Pell also drafted the legislation that would establish the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. A railroad enthusiast, he supported the development of mass transportation, writing a book on the subject titled, Megalopolis Unbound: The Supercity and the Transportation of Tomorrow.
Pell also sponsored a treaty banning nuclear weapons on the ocean floor.
In 1997, Claiborne Pell retired from the U.S. Senate after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He remains Rhode Island's longest-serving senator. Just one of the many achievements he had during his lengthy Senate career.
According to a statement released by his family after his death, Claiborne Pell defined his work in the Senate with the simple phrase: "Translate ideas into actions and help people."
Claiborne Pell is survived by his wife, Nuala O'Donnell Pell, and two children.
Born in New York City on Nov. 22, 1918, Claiborne Pell was born into a family with a tradition of public service; his father and great-great-grandfather both served in Congress. His great-great-grand uncle, George Mifflin Dallas, served as both a senator and vice-president under President James K. Polk.
In the days leading up to America's involvement in World War II, Pell enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. During the war, he served in Sicily and Italy on North Atlantic Convoy Duty. From 1945 until 1952, Pell served in Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Washington, D.C. as a Foreign Service Officer in the State Department.
In 1960, Pell was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, representing his home state of Rhode Island. He would remain in this position until retiring in 1997. From 1987 until 1994, Pell also served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In 1973, Senator Pell sponsored the bill that created the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, a program that would provide grants to financially needy students seeking a higher education. In 1980, these grants would be renamed Pell Grants. In the years since the grants were established, approximately 54 million American students have benefited from this legislation.
Senator Pell also drafted the legislation that would establish the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. A railroad enthusiast, he supported the development of mass transportation, writing a book on the subject titled, Megalopolis Unbound: The Supercity and the Transportation of Tomorrow.
Pell also sponsored a treaty banning nuclear weapons on the ocean floor.
In 1997, Claiborne Pell retired from the U.S. Senate after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He remains Rhode Island's longest-serving senator. Just one of the many achievements he had during his lengthy Senate career.
According to a statement released by his family after his death, Claiborne Pell defined his work in the Senate with the simple phrase: "Translate ideas into actions and help people."
Claiborne Pell is survived by his wife, Nuala O'Donnell Pell, and two children.
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