Mourning the passing of a great man

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

It is with sadness that I read of the passing of former Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI) (right, 1995). Former Sen. Pell dies Millions of Americans owe him a debt of gratitude and thanks for making it possible for them to attend college.

Senator Pell, thank you.

Pell was an unabashed liberal who spent his political career championing causes to help the less fortunate.

Pell sponsored legislation creating the Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, which passed in 1972 and provided direct aid to college students. The awards were renamed "Pell Grants" in 1980. By the time Pell retired, they had aided more than 54 million low- and middle-income Americans.

"He believed strongly that a good education could open infinite doors of opportunity, and he has transformed the lives of millions of young people who have been able to go to college because of the grant that rightly bears his name," said Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

Pell also shared a strong interest in the arts, and was chief Senate sponsor of a 1965 law establishing the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

"Senator Pell was a remarkable statesman and legislator who worked tirelessly to promote peace and expand opportunity through education," Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) said in a written statement.

"We will all miss him deeply, and long benefit from the works of his far-seeing soul," Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said. And Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI) called Pell a "gentleman and champion for those who needed their voices heard."

Pell died Thursday after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 90. The legacy of this great man will live on forever.