House Proceeding on Jan 7th, 2009 :: 0:19:00 to 0:24:55
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0:18:57 to 0:19:17( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: him an serve with him and today join my colleague jim langevin in paying tribute to him. with that, i'd like to yield the floor to my colleague and friend from the second congressional district, congressman langevin. the speaker pro tempore: mr. langevin is recognized. .

0:19:00 to 0:24:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: James R. Langevin

0:19:18 to 0:19:39( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: mr. langevin: i tha my colleague for yielding and i'm honored to join with him today in paying tribute to our state's former senior senator, senator claiborne pell, who passed away on the first of this year. he was an incredible public servant and someone who i was proud to call friend and a

0:19:40 to 0:20:01( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: mentor. he was one of rhode island's greatest statesmen and gentlemen. as i said, who passed away on the first day of 2009. born on november 22, 1918 into a prominent wealthy family, senator pell was better known as the champion for the common man and also the father of the pell grant program.

0:20:02 to 0:20:23( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: after receiving a degree from princeton university, he served in the united states coast guard during world war ii and later traveled the world as a foreign service officer with the state department. in 1960 he was elected to his first of six terms as a united states senator from rhode island. after retiring in 1997, he became our state's longest serving senator.

0:20:24 to 0:20:44( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: diagnosed with parkinson's disease in 1994, he never let his physical condition diminish his spirit and he remained active in rhode isnd and the democratic party n rhode island the pell name is legendary in politics and synonymous with the best attributes of public service and his legacy endures.

0:20:45 to 0:21:06( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: the esteemed nator once stated the strength of the united states is not the gold at fort knox, all the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people. believing that education was the great equalizer, he created legislation that passed in 1972 establishing the basic education

0:21:07 to 0:21:28( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: opportunity grants, better known now as the pell grants, that provide financial assistance to students who may not otherwise be able to attend college. it is estimated that a remarkable 54 million students have been fit interested these grants. due to his love of the arts he also authored the legislation as my colleague, congressman kennedy, mentioned creating the national endownt for the arts

0:21:29 to 0:21:50( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: and national endowment for the humanities. he helped shaped our country's foreign policy and believed strongly in the power of diplomacy. he stood up to defend rights for all americans, regardless of race, class, or sexual orientation. knowing him for more than two decades, i can considered senator pell a friend and mentor and had the opportunity of interning in his washington,

0:21:51 to 0:22:12( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: d.c., office during my studies at rhode island college. i found it to be one. most -- it to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and led me on a career path to be a representative. as i began my own career in government, senator pell was always there for me offering

0:22:13 to 0:22:38( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: advice and support. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. mr. langdon vin: -- mr. langevin: madam speaker, may i request unanimous consent to be recognized for five minutes under my own time? the speaker pro tempore: the chair will recognize the member after calling the next name on the list.

0:22:39 to 0:22:59( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: mr. burton of indiana. for what purpose does the gentleman from rhode island seek recognition? mr. langevin: unanimous consent to be recognized for five minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. langevin: in continuing my tribute to senator pell, madam speaker, senator pell was and

0:23:00 to 0:23:21( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: always will be a role model as i work to serve the people of rhode island just as he did with courage and integrity. this past monday senator pell was rembered by his family, colleagues, from the senate, president clinton, vice president elect biden, and many others. it was a fitting tribute to his

0:23:22 to 0:23:42( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: years of public service and his lifelong vision for o country. madam speaker, it is an understatement to say that his presence will be forever missed. but his enduring legacy will live on in his many accomplishments that have enhanced our country greatly. especially the past, present,

0:23:43 to 0:24:04( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: and future students who have achieved a higher education because of pell grants. and it will live on in the people of rhode island who have been fitted greatly from his life's work. my thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. especially his beloved wife of

0:24:05 to 0:24:25( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: 64 years during this very difficult time. i join with my friend and colleague, congressman kennedy, who say that senator pell had a tremendous impact on our careers and again we extend our -- both our sincerest condolences to the

0:24:26 to 0:24:50( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: entire pell family. madam speaker, thank you. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. ms. holmes norton of the district of columbia.

0:24:51 to 0:24:57( Edit History Discussion )

James R. Langevin: mr. kirk of illinois. for what purpose does the gentleman from alabama seek recognition?