RTV Salutes: Senator Claiborne Pell

Last Thursday, Former Senator Claiborne Pell died at the age of 90 after a long bout with Parkinson's disease. If his name sounds familiar, it's not surprising: you may be a direct recipient of his greatest legislative accomplishment.

In 1972, Senator Pell was the primary advocate for the creation of the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, a federal program that provides low- and middle-income students with scholarships to pursue higher education. He was so key to the passage of the legislation that the program was re-named after him in 1980. Since their creation, Pell Grants have helped more than 50 million young people attend college.

A six-term United States Senator from Rhode Island, Pell also displayed a commitment to the protection of the arts during his time in office from 1961 until his retirement in 1997. He was a primary sponsor of the 1965 law that created the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, programs that support artistic, cultural, educational, and research projects across the country.

So, this week, we're remembering Senator Pell for his tireless efforts to protect the interests of young people across America. He fought for our rights to education and opportunity, and we can only hope that a new generation of leaders in Washington will take up his cause.