The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO SENATOR CLAIBORNE PELL” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S12272-S12273 on Oct. 3, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO SENATOR CLAIBORNE PELL
Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, the Senate soon will bid farewell to one of its most legendary Members--the senior Senator from Rhode Island, Claiborne Pell. I have had the distinct privilege of working with Senator Pell over the years on issues ranging from college student loans to United Nations reform.
Senator Claiborne Pell entered the Senate in 1960. His stature in Rhode Island politics perhaps was best summarized by the Almanac of American Politics, which called him an ``iron fist in a velvet glove.'' His political strength perhaps was no better demonstrated than when he was first elected to the Senate. In the Democratic primary for the Senate seat, he defeated the current sitting Governor at that time, as well as a former Governor and Senator. My good friend and soon to be Senior Senator from Rhode Island, John Chafee--a former State chief executive himself--knows well the formidable political strength of his colleague, having once tried to unseat Senator Pell in 1972, only to come up short.
At the beginning of this Congress, I gave up my seat on the Foreign Relations Committee so that I could serve my State of South Dakota on the Finance Committee. It is safe to say I miss being on that Committee, in part because I enjoyed so much working with my friend from Rhode Island. His stewardship of that Committee as Chairman for 8 years was masterful. He chaired the Committee with quiet but firm strength. Perhaps his greatest legislative achievement during that time was the State Department Authorization bill that became law in 1994. As the ranking member of the International Operations Subcommittee, I worked closely with then Chairman Pell and the Subcommittee Chair, Senator Kerry of Massachusetts, to produce a sound, bipartisan bill. This legislation made significant strides to streamline the State Department bureaucracy. It also set us on a course to reform the United Nations, and made significant improvements in our Nation's nonproliferation laws.
Senator Pell's inspirational commitment to world peace is exceeded only by his strong dedication to the cause of education in this country. In 1972, Senator Pell shepherded to passage legislation that established the Basic Education Opportunity Grants Program--a college aid program for economically disadvantaged college students. Today, we know them as Pell Grants. Nearly 25 years after their creation, Pell Grants represent a beacon of hope for young people who desire to attend college but lack the resources to attend. This Congress has shown its firm commitment to the Pell Grant program. Indeed, Pell Grants are now at their highest level in the program's history.
The people of Rhode Island have numerous reasons to be proud of their senior senator. His entire life has been devoted to public service--
from membership in the Coast Guard to membership in the U.S. Senate. As we all know, our dear friend faces his greatest challenge to date--
battling Parkinson's disease. Since he made this announcement last year, my wife Harriet and I have had Senator Pell in our prayers. He will continue to be.
We will miss the compassionate leadership of Senator Claiborne Pell. Most important, we will miss his friendship. Claiborne Pell can leave the Senate knowing that he has given our Nation a legislative legacy of the highest order, one that will be unrivaled for years to come. I wish my friend from Rhode Island the very best for many years to come.
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