Dignitaries to bid Pell final goodbye
Published: January 4, 2009
Updated: January 4, 2009
NEWPORT, R.I. - Rhode Island is preparing to bid a final goodbye to former Rhode Island Sen. Claiborne Pell.
Pell, who represented Rhode Island for 36 years and created federal education grants that helped millions of Americans afford college, died Thursday at his Newport home after a long battle with
Parkinson’s disease. He was 90.
His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden, a friend of Pell’s, will be among the dignitaries attending the funeral. Former President Bill Clinton, Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy and Rhode Island’s Jack Reed will deliver eulogies at the funeral Monday.
A reception will follow at the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University. Burial will be private.
Gov. Don Carcieri has ordered flags in Rhode Island lowered in tribute until Monday.
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