[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 7, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H39]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

  A message from the Senate by Ms. Curtis, one of its clerks, announced 
that the Senate agreed to the following resolution:

                               S. Res. 8

       In the Senate of the United States, January 6, 2009.
       Whereas Claiborne Pell represented the people of Rhode 
     Island with distinction for 36 years in the United States 
     Senate, from 1961 to 1997, and was the longest-serving 
     Senator in Rhode Island's history;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell served in the United States Coast 
     Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve, beginning in 1941 and 
     retiring in 1978 with the rank of Captain;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell participated in the 1945 United 
     Nations Conference on International Organization that 
     established the United Nations, and was a champion of the 
     United Nations throughout his life;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell served as a Foreign Service Officer 
     from 1945 to 1952;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell sponsored the legislation that, in 
     1965, created the National Endowment for the Arts and the 
     National Endowment for the Humanities and, in 1966, created 
     the National Sea Grant College and Program;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell's vision led to the creation of an 
     improved passenger rail system in the Northeast and across 
     the United States;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell believed that economic means should 
     not be a barrier to a higher education and sponsored 
     legislation creating the Basic Educational Opportunity Grants 
     in 1972, which were renamed ``Pell Grants'' in 1980;
       Whereas Pell Grants have helped 54,000,000 people in the 
     United States secure a higher education;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell sought to expand educational 
     opportunities throughout his tenure as a member and as 
     Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Education, Arts and 
     Humanities;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell served as Chairman of the Senate 
     Committee on Foreign Relations in the 100th through 103rd 
     Congresses;
       Whereas Claiborne Pell was a champion of human rights who 
     devoted himself to promoting a peaceful resolution to 
     international conflict and the elimination of the threat of 
     nuclear weapons; and
       Whereas the hallmarks of Claiborne Pell's public service 
     were unsurpassed respect, decency, and civility: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep 
     regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable 
     Claiborne Pell, former member of the United States Senate;
       (2) the Secretary of the Senate communicate these 
     resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit an 
     enrolled copy thereof to the family of the deceased; and
       (3) that when the Senate adjourns today, it stand adjourned 
     as a further mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable 
     Claiborne Pell.

  The message also announced that the Senate agreed to the following 
joint resolution:

       S.J. Res. 3. Joint resolution ensuring that the 
     compensation and other emoluments attached to the office of 
     Secretary of the Interior are those which were in effect on 
     January 1, 2005.

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