[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12164-S12165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SENATOR CLAIBORNE PELL

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, as others have noted, this is a season 
when we are used to witnessing the departure of some of our colleagues 
who have chosen to end their careers here in the Senate to pursue other 
interests. And again, as others have noted, this particular iteration 
of these departures is notable, not only because of the numbers of our 
friends who are going on to other pursuits, but more importantly 
because of the quality of their contributions while they were here, 
which we now face doing without. Our departing colleagues have 
distinguished themselves as statesmen and patriots, one and all. But 
even among giants, there are always those who stand even a little 
taller.

[[Page S12165]]

  Claiborne Pell has devoted much of his life in service to his 
Nation--4 years in the Coast Guard in World War II; 23 years in the 
Coast Guard Reserve; 7 years as a foreign service officer in Europe 
following World War II; all in addition to his remarkable 36 years of 
service to Rhode Island and this Nation as a U.S. Senator. In these 
historic 36 years, which have included some of our Nation's greatest 
and most contentious challenges, Claiborne Pell has graced these Halls 
and the debates and legislative struggles therein, with reasoned 
insight, deft statesmanship, and calming counsel. In this body when 
even Will Rogers might, from time to time, have discovered the 
exception, Claiborne Pell served with dignity, garnering the respect 
and affection of us all. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his 
example, not only of service to his Nation, but for his dignity and 
demeanor in the conduct of that service. This body and this Nation will 
miss him. We wish him and his charming wife, Nuala, the very best.

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