As we start off the New Year, we lose a huge champion and supporter of the arts with the death of former Senator Claiborne Pell who died in Newport RI on Jan. 1, 2009 at age 90. He suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

Serving on the Senate Committee for 36 years the six-term Rhode Island Democrat Senator Pell was one of the original sponsors of the NEA – The National Endowment for the Arts which provides critical assistance for music, theater, literature, dance, design arts, and folk arts around the country.

He also created Pell Grants which are awarded to students in need.

Whether you knew him or not especially if you are in the arts your life has been touched by him in some way.

George Sarantos, Bettie Sarantos, Nuala Pell, Senator Claiborne Pell in an old Newport Daily News photo circa 1971

My father was president of the Newport Rotary Club and executive director of the Newport YMCA so I got to meet many of the politicians of the time from all the events that they attended.

Susan Sarantos

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