Senator Claiborne Pell – Student Advocate and Creator of Pell Grants

With his recent passing, descriptors of Claiborne Pell have been tossed around liberally. At times deemed a “quirky blueblood” and at other times a “dove,” Pell put his upbringing aside to to become a powerful representative of a more blue-collar Rhode Island populace in the U.S. Senate.

Perhaps most importantly, known for his honesty, integrity and for being polite to a fault, the millionaire’s gentlemanly approach to the world of politics hearkened to a different time, one that contrasts vividly with the current political landscape.

Though he excelled in his role as senator and representative of the people of Rhode Island for the better part of 36 years, college students are likely to be familiar only with the man’s last name and his mark on education. The Senator was of course the founder of the Pell grant program, one that has helped tens of millions of Americans attend college.

It was striking that the idea to help those with financial need came from the son of a New York congressman. Believing that financial aid should be given directly to students rather than distributed by colleges and universities, Pell actually spent his entire political career pursuing help for those who were less fortunate than he.

Legendary Stories
At times deemed absent-minded, at other times soft because of his self-deprecating behavior, legendary stories were recounted many times.

Projo.com tells the tale of his driving record thus:

He was such a poor driver that for years he drove in a white Mustang that was fitted with a roll-bar. That feature — plus the array of body dents and the pelican hood ornament he had borrowed from his family crest — always distinguished Pell’s car from the somber sedans at the foot of the Capitol steps.

In his obituary shared on Yahoo, there was also the story from Pell’s 1972 Senate campaign, a tale that has been told quite often “to illustrate his isolation from the average Joe.”

Pell was campaigning in Providence when it began raining. Pell, who had a formal evening engagement, had forgotten his galoshes. An aide was dispatched and returned with a pair.

In his very formal manner of speech, Pell asked the aide, “To whom am I indebted for these fine rubbers?”

“I got them at Thom McAn, senator,” the aide answered, referring to the budget shoe store chain.

“Well, do tell Mr. McAn that I am much obliged to him,” Pell said.

The tale has been told many times, on occasion with the first part embellished and the final two lines omitted.

Commemorating a Great Man

Pell died on January 1st at the age of 90 having battled Parkinson’s disease since the mid-1990s. If you are, or have been one of the more than 50 million Americans to receive a Pell Grant, you owe it to yourself to learn a little more about the man.

In an effort to do so, we offer a link to current Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse commemorating Pell’s passing.

The text of Whitehouse’s commemoration can be found on the WPRI.com news site.

Video is also courtesy of WPRI.com.