January 6, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 1 59 General, former Attorney General in saw Claiborne Pell, as President, Clai- the Claiborne Pell family for many the Truman administration. Young borne would take out from the back years, indeed generations. I yield to my Claiborne Pell won because he struck a pocket a worn copy of the U.N. Charter colleague. cord with the people of , which he carried and point out to him The PRESIDING OFFICER. The jun- because he was able to translate his the value of the United Nations, the ior Senator from Rhode Island. feeling for opportunity, for the privi- value of collective security. He was Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Thank you, Mr. lege that education bestows on every there in in 1945 when the President. And I say to Senator REED, person, to the people of Rhode Island. U.N. was created. He was there in New thank you. He and Nuala campaigned and won, and York City 50 years later for its 50th an- I rise in honor of a great friend and then for 36 years they served with such niversary. mentor. I look around me at a room distinction, with such honor, and But his notion of a powerful America that just this morning was filled with brought such credit to our State. leading the world, not standing apart Senators. It was a crowded Senate He is best known as the author of the from it, his notion that our values, our floor, with packed galleries, as a group Pell grant, which provides grants to system, our commitment to human de- of bright and promising new Senators students to go to higher education, but cency would prevail in the face of So- began their careers, with all that joy he did so much more in the field of edu- viet totalitarianism and other forms of and hope. cation. He was involved in numerous totalitarianism was wisdom of the Now, as my senior Senator, JACK reauthorizations of the Elementary ages. In his service on the Senate For- REED, and I speak, the room is quiet, and Secondary Education Act. He la- eign Relations Committee, he not only the galleries are mostly empty, and bored over these provisions to make espoused those views, every day he re- colleagues are gathering in remem- sure young Americans were prepared minded us our destiny would take us brance because yesterday Rhode Island for college. He was also the author of far beyond what simply a military op- saw the sunset on a Rhode Island era the national sea grant college grant. eration or our economic power might with the funeral of our friend, Senator Just as we have land grant colleges because of our ideals, because of our Claiborne Pell. dating back to the Moral Act of the commitment to multinational support I am deeply honored by Senator 1860s, Claiborne said we should have a of creating a world community—a re- REED’s kind words, and he has a unique sea grant act that would allow the markable man. position as the successor to Senator sciences of the oceans, maritime He was someone who left and has left Pell. sciences, to be taught, to be explored, an indelible mark on Rhode Island and It must be an interesting feeling to to be investigated on college campuses. Rhode Islanders. As I mentioned yes- have served in the Senate for 36 years, He did so much. In addition to his terday, I had the privilege of wit- to have loved this institution, to have dedication to education, he also was nessing this profound bond so many accomplished extraordinary work in the creator of the National Endowment times. We have a parade each Fourth of this institution, and then to walk away for the Arts and the National Endow- July in Bristol, RI. It is the largest pa- and leave your seat to a new, young ment for the Humanities in 1965. He un- rade in Rhode Island. One hundred Senator to replace you. derstood that in the great sweep of thousand people, which is about a Senator Pell had great confidence in time, our military power might fade, tenth of the population of our State, Senator REED from the very beginning. our economic power might fade, but gathers for it. It is the oldest consecu- He was, indeed, able to assure that the power of our ideals, as expressed in tive Fourth of July parade in our coun- there was no primary to succeed a seat our literature, in our arts, would con- try. To walk in that parade is a great that was open for the first time in 36 tinue to move the world. And in order honor. But to walk with Claiborne Pell years, and it was because of his con- to make that access possible, not for is an extraordinary experience. For the fidence in JACK REED that he put in the well-to-do but for everyone, he cre- first few steps, you pretend the cheers that effort. I know firsthand how ex- ated the notion of a National Endow- are for you, but that quickly fades be- traordinarily proud he was of the Sen- ment for the Arts and Humanities. cause, mile after mile, people rush up ator JACK REED has shown himself to Thinking back in preparation for my and say: Thank you, Senator Pell. be. words yesterday, I thought of how Thank you, Senator Pell. Thank you We in Rhode Island are a little, tiny often his life intersected with mine, for the help when I needed it. Thank State, but over the years we have had starting at 10 years old in 1960. I saw you for the Pell grant. Thank you for some towering and remarkable Sen- the motorcade rushing by my grammar being the ideal public servant. Then ators. Claiborne Pell, obviously, was school with John F. Kennedy and Clai- you would see parents lift toddlers and one. was one. John O. Pas- borne Pell in those final days of the say: There goes a great man, Claiborne tore was one. Theodore Francis Green campaign. But in regard to the Na- Pell. was one. Even the gentleman once tional Endowment for the Arts, my Well, he has touched us and he has known as the general manager of the first exposure to theater—and I was the made us so much better. I had the rare , Nelson Aldrich of Rhode proud son of working-class privilege and opportunity yesterday to Island, was a towering presence. Cer- Cranstonians in Cranston, RI—was say, on behalf of the people of Rhode tainly, Senator REED has shown him- Project Discover in which Trinity Rep- Island, something all of my fellow citi- self to have joined that pantheon. I ertory Company brought students in to zens wanted to say as soon as they probably have another 10, 20 years of see an act from Richard the II. That heard the news, as soon as they real- work before I get there, but I will keep was all part of the vision Claiborne had ized the great light of Claiborne Pell trying. But certainly Senator REED is of giving people an opportunity to ex- had dimmed; and those are two simple in that category, and I am deeply hon- plore the arts, to find their talent. He words: Thank you, Senator Pell. ored by his kind words. did it remarkably well. Mr. President, now I would like to Many in this body knew Claiborne Today, these two institutions endure. yield the floor to my colleague and Pell and served with him. I wish to say They provide access for millions of friend, Senator , on behalf of Rhode Islanders who Americans to the arts, to the human- who is someone who is molded in the watched the service yesterday how ities. They have encouraged creativity, image of Claiborne Pell, someone who grateful we are to Majority Leader and all of it is a tribute to Claiborne understands, as Senator Pell did, that REID, Majority Whip DURBIN, Claiborne Pell. opportunity is the engine that drives Pell’s dear friends, and He was perhaps most recognized in America, that our great skills have to , and Senators PAT LEAHY, international affairs for his staunch be harnessed to a higher purpose. It is DICK LUGAR, Orrin Hatch, , support of the United Nations. Yester- such a privilege and pleasure to serve JEFF BINGAMAN, , and JOE day, one of the eulogists, President with him. And not only that, but he LIEBERMAN, all of whom honored Sen- Clinton, pointed out that every time he has been a dear and personal friend of ator Pell by attending the funeral. Of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:36 Apr 22, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S06JA9.000 S06JA9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 60 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 1 January 6, 2009 course, I give special thanks to Presi- ever at the time, 69 percent of the vote. moment because I remember in Rhode dent , who came to Rhode To his great satisfaction, more Rhode Island a few years ago I was at an Island, a place where he is beloved, and Islanders voted for Claiborne Pell in event with a number of Senators, and spoke for his departed friend. that election than voted for John F. the distinguished Senator from Colo- Senator Pell was there for me in my Kennedy—so much for being the ‘‘least rado, now our Interior Secretary des- own career at key junctures in so many electable man in America.’’ ignate, was present. Senator Pell came important ways, and I should give him The fact that John F. Kennedy road to the event. He was very disabled, and credit and in front of all my colleagues on Claiborne Pell’s coattails was a he came in a wheelchair. I went over to express my deep gratitude for what he point Claiborne Pell, in his quiet way, greet him. Senator SALAZAR—I say to did. He recommended me to President loved to remind President Kennedy of the Presiding Officer, you will remem- Clinton for appointment as U.S. attor- whenever the opportunity presented ber this—also came over to greet him. ney. After I served my term as U.S. at- itself. He took his hand, and he told him: Sen- torney, I ran for attorney general. I Of course, Rhode Island, in that elec- ator, my brother and I went to college served with the Presiding Officer, Sen- tion, got its first look at the one-of-a- because of the Pell Grant Program. ator SALAZAR of Colorado, as an attor- kind political temperament that was to Now here I am standing in front of you ney general. define Senator Pell for the rest of his as a Senator, thanks to the vision and I had a three-way primary for attor- life: courteous, innovative, and always foresight you showed years ago—your ney general. Claiborne Pell endorsed quietly humorous. vision that every American should me in the primary. He actually did a Senator Pell looked back on that have the dream of higher education at television ad with me. In his 36 years in election in an interview with the New their disposal. I say to the Presiding the Senate, he wanted no part ordi- York Times, and he said this: Officer, you were then in your first narily of primaries. For two people he I remember my first campaign. My oppo- term as a newly elected Senator. got involved in a primary and endorsed nent called me a cream puff. That’s what he It was an unforgettable moment, I a candidate. One was me. The other said. Well, I rushed out and got the baker’s say to the Presiding Officer. It hap- was Congressman PATRICK KENNEDY. It union to endorse me. Frankly, I think a lit- pened because Senator Pell understood is almost unimaginable what a dif- tle bit of humor is sorely lacking now. the difference that higher education ference it made in my fledgling cam- How many people in today’s politics could make in the lives of America’s paign, my first bid for elective office in being called a cream puff would go out young people—from a young KEN the Democratic primary to have a man and get a baker’s union endorsement SALAZAR from rural Colorado, to tod- of Senator Pell’s towering reputation rather than trying to find some other dlers across this country now who will stake his reputation on me and express way to hit back? seize the opportunities of America in that kind of confidence. It is something Claiborne Pell believed, as he once years to come because of this man. for which I am indebted to him and to told the Providence Journal, some- Senator Pell knew that the arts, too, his memory and to his family forever. thing that is so important: could transform lives. He authored the To me and to so many people in the [T]hat government—and the federal gov- landmark legislation that gave rise to Ocean State, Claiborne Pell was a men- ernment in particular—can, should and does the National Endowments for the Arts tor and an example, a leader whose vi- make a positive impact on the lives of most and the Humanities. These institutions sion, grace, and authentic kindness left Americans. have secured a place for the culture an indelible imprint. He lived by that observation, and cer- He was born in City in and the arts in the public life of this tainly Senator Pell’s positive impact 1918, and he first came to the Senate in Nation. Over the years they have on the lives of the people he served will 1961, after a colorful primary battle, helped bring poetry, drama, dance, be remembered for generations. described by Senator REED, that pitted painting, sculpture, song, literature, Two years after taking office, Sen- him as an essential unknown against and history to millions of Americans. ator Pell sponsored legislation that be- two established Democratic Of course, we New Englanders are came the Basic Educational Oppor- powerhouses: Dennis J. Roberts and J. deeply indebted to Senator Pell for his tunity Grant, now known, thanks to its Howard McGrath, contending for the passion for public transportation and champion, as the Pell grant. At the seat that was being vacated by Theo- in particular for his long fight to de- dore Francis Green. time, the Nation’s colleges wanted Fed- velop for the Northeast corridor a tran- It did not look good. Pell was the ul- eral aid for themselves, but Senator sit system to support the cities of timate outsider. He was so much the Pell wanted the aid to go directly to today and tomorrow. As we face the underdog in that race that John F. students. challenges of rising energy costs, eco- Kennedy, who was running for Presi- He enlisted in the Coast Guard 4 nomic recession, and urban stresses on dent at the time—and who knew Clai- months before Pearl Harbor, serving in our congested highways, Americans borne quite well because he was a dear the North Atlantic and the Mediterra- will rely more heavily than ever on friend of Mrs. Kennedy, Jacqueline nean, and after that he used the GI bill systems such as Amtrak. Senator Bouvier Kennedy, and was in Rhode Is- scholarship to get an advanced degree Pell’s foresight again has served us land a good deal because of her family from . well. associations with Rhode Island; so he The GI bill showed him the trans- Here in the Senate, Senator Pell is knew Claiborne Pell quite well—he formative power of a college education, remembered for his big ideas. In Rhode called him the least electable man in and Claiborne Pell resolved then that Island, we remember him also for his America. all Americans would have the oppor- gentle, generous spirit. He had lived all At his funeral yesterday, I saw Pell tunity for a college education that he over the world. He had been honored buttons from that race back in 1961 on and millions of veterans had received with medals from at least 18 different mourners’ lapels. after World War II. nations. But Newport, RI, was always The Providence Journal described the So every year in September a new home. In both his personal and his po- race that ensued as ‘‘the first modern group of students goes off to college, litical life, he was a consistent model political campaign the state had seen.’’ and we see anew the work of Senator of civility and kindness to his fellow Senator Pell invested his own money in Pell, enlivening millions of young Rhode Islanders—always, without television ads and polling, and he won Americans who use Pell grants to pur- fail—even sometimes at his peril. the Democratic primary. He was the sue their dreams. In 2008, this Pell For example, in his final bid for re- first unendorsed candidate in the his- Grant Program was nearly 5.6 million election in 1990, Senator Pell report- tory of Rhode Island to ever win a grants, worth $16.4 billion—all from his edly insisted on warning Congress- Democratic primary. idea. woman , his Repub- He went on to win the general elec- I am delighted the distinguished Sen- lican opponent, every time he was tion. He won it by the largest margin ator from Colorado is presiding at this about to air a new television ad. He

VerDate Mar 15 2010 11:36 Apr 22, 2011 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S06JA9.000 S06JA9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD January 6, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 1 61 told his campaign staff that he would been drafted by the majority leader put the lives of Israeli soldiers at risk. not permit a self-promoting press re- and the minority leader that deals with But Israel believes it is important lease to go out, chiding: ‘‘No, no, no, the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and where possible to avoid jeopardizing in- we never boast.’’ that we believe needs to express the nocent life—quite the opposite from In a debate I remember watching, he will of the Senate. We believe as well Hamas, which deliberately and cyni- was given two huge political softball that a similar resolution would be cally fires rockets from civilian areas opportunities. One, he was asked to voted on in the House of Representa- to make it more difficult for Israel to criticize his opponent, to critique her tives to express the will of the House. target the terrorists and to increase capacity to defeat him and serve in the So then the whole world—and certainly the likelihood of civilian casualties U.S. Senate. The only thing he had to the administration—would know of when Israel does take action. say was she has been a very fine Con- this body’s strong support for the State Hamas has ignored a plea by U.N. gresswoman. Then he was asked what of Israel and our support for the ac- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on his most significant legislative tions Israel is taking right now. We April 28 that: achievements had been during the pre- hope that vote can occur before this Civilian areas in Gaza should not be used vious term that had helped Rhode Is- week is out. I wish to commend Sen- as a base from which to launch its actions landers. He said: ator LIEBERMAN for his considerable against Israel. You know, I really can’t think of one right leadership on this issue. Dozens of mosques in Gaza have been now. My memory is not as good as it should We support this resolution. The first turned into weapons storage facilities be. thing the resolution does is to remind and Hamas command centers. In fact, One would think those answers would people why the State of Israel had to an airstrike on a mosque in the Tel El be lethal politically, but Rhode Island- act. Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City last ers loved it and they loved him for it Last February, on a trip to the Mid- Wednesday set off numerous secondary because he was as genuine and as au- dle East, I visited the Israeli town of explosions caused by the arms that had thentic as a man could be. I guess one Sderot, which is about 3 miles from the been stockpiled in the mosque. of the great lessons of his life is that border of Gaza, and I learned from the Finally, Hamas openly admits that it voters don’t want you to be perfect; town’s mayor of the toll taken on the uses women and children as human they want you to be you. They want residents of this town and neighboring shields. A leading member of Hamas you to be authentically who you are cities from more than 8 years of rocket told Al-Aqsa TV on February 29, 2008: and from there to fight for them, and attacks by the Hamas terrorists. At For the Palestinian people, death has be- he certainly lived that. For his authen- the police station, I saw rack after come an industry . . . This is why they have ticity and gentleness of spirit, Clai- rack of these spent rockets, the re- formed human shields of the women, the borne Pell was beloved by all of us in mains of the rockets that had been children, the elderly, and the mujahedeen, in the Ocean State who were privileged to launched by Hamas against the civilian order to challenge the Zionist bombing ma- chine. know him or work with him or learn population of this city. In fact, about from his example. 15 minutes after we departed the city, While targeting terrorists, Israel We all will miss him deeply. To his one of these Hamas launched a Qassam works to avoid a humanitarian crisis wife Nuala, to his children, Toby and rocket—identical to the hundreds we for ordinary Gazans as well. During the Dallas, and their families, and to the had seen at the police station—which first week of Israel’s operations, it fa- families of his departed children, fell on an Israeli home in town, de- cilitated the delivery to Gaza of 400 Bertie and Julie, I know I join my dis- stroying it. Thankfully, no one in that trucks loaded with more than 2,000 tons tinguished senior Senator and all in attack was harmed. of food and medicine. This is not easy this body and indeed all of America in Is there any doubt that if the United when you are in the middle of military holding them in our thoughts and pray- States were suffering an attack from operations. Ten ambulances and two ers. just across the border similar to this, thousand blood units were transferred As his family reminded us last week, that we wouldn’t react to stop that to Gaza just in that week. More than 80 Senator Pell summarized his role as a from happening? I think there is no Palestinians have entered Egypt for Senator with seven simple words: question that we would act to stop this treatment, in addition to a dozen or Translate ideas into actions and help terrorism. It is our hope that the reso- more who have entered Israel. On Jan- people. Would that all of us could have lution would express our acknowledg- uary 5, more than 93,000 gallons of in- ideas as big as Claiborne Pell’s and the ment that a nation has the right to de- dustrial diesel fuel and gasoline for ve- strength, grace, persistence, and cour- fend itself, that Israel has had to re- hicles was transferred into Gaza from a age to translate them into action. spond to this, to more than 6,300 rocket fuel depot in Israel. By the way, that I thank the Chair, and I yield the and mortar attacks on its citizens fuel depot comes under constant attack floor. since it fully withdrew from Gaza in from terrorists in Gaza, as does the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- the year 2005. In fact, this town has place where the electricity is generated ator from Arizona is recognized. been suffering for over 8 years from for Gaza, which, of course, makes abso- Mr. KYL. Mr. President, would it be these attacks. lutely no sense. in order for me, before I begin my re- The second point the resolution Finally, this resolution speaks to marks, to compliment the Presiding makes is that there is no equivalency calls for a cease-fire. Many voices in Officer for his nomination to be Cabi- between the actions of Hamas and the so-called international community net Secretary, the Secretary of the In- Israel in this case. Israel conducts its have been heard pleading for an imme- terior, and wish him very well before military operations to spare innocent diate cease-fire, although I think it is the Senate in being confirmed and life. They have specifically targeted instructive that one never hears those serving in that position? I guess that Hamas command centers and security voices condemning rocket attacks by question doesn’t need a response. I cer- installations and rocket-launching Hamas terrorists. tainly hope it is in line for me to be sites, weapons stockpiles, and weapons I believe the path to a halt in the vio- able to say that. smuggling tunnels. They have tried lence is clear. A cease-fire is appro- f very hard to avoid civilian casualties. priate if and when it is durable and sus- In fact, Israel has transmitted very tainable. A cease-fire, on the other GAZA RESOLUTION specific warnings to Gazans. They have hand, that would allow Hamas to Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I hope—and dropped leaflets and made phone calls rearm and rebuild its support in Gaza I am joined here by Senator to targeted areas to warn citizens to is, of course, not acceptable. Hamas LIEBERMAN—that the Senate will have leave because an attack is imminent. cannot be given a cease-fire that only an opportunity to consider before this This, of course, even means they lose serves to provide it breathing room to week is out a resolution we believe has the element of surprise and potentially regroup and then a month or 2 months

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