2014 -- H 8056

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF NUALA PELL

     Introduced By: Representatives Martin, Mattiello, DeSimone, Ucci, and Abney

     Date Introduced: April 15, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this House has learned of the passing of a

revered and beneficent humanitarian of our state, Nuala O'Donnell Pell. She was the widow of

former United States Senator, the late Claiborne Pell, and the beloved mother of Christopher Pell

and his wife, Janet, Dallas Pell, and the late Herbert Pell and Julia Pell. She is also survived by

her five grandchildren, Tripler Pell, Nicholas Pell, Clay Pell, Christina Neal, and Eames Yates,

and her nine great-grandchildren, Elias, Marina and Atlas Hammoud, Oliver, Bertie and Nuala

Randall, Zara Neal, and Georgina and Henry Pell; and

     WHEREAS, Nuala Pell led a glorious life. Born in New York City to the late Charles

Oliver and Josephine Hartford O'Donnell, Mrs. Pell was a young woman of great beauty,

privilege, and wealth. She was an heiress of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, studied

at the prestigious Bennington College in Vermont, and went sailing and holidayed with the

President and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy; and

     WHEREAS, Through her grace, decency, and understated humor, Mrs. Pell was equally

at home at local social clubs, rallies, or in Washington's social circles, and was a true partner and

great asset to her husband's career; and

     WHEREAS, Memories of this remarkable woman must also include her dedication not

only to her family, but also to the service of others. Mrs. Pell's social and political conscience

helped to transform our state with programs such as the Nuala Pell Leadership Program in Public

Service, and her service as a trustee of Roger Williams University, the University of Rhode

Island, and Salve Regina University; and

     WHEREAS, Although born in high society, Nuala Pell fully and enthusiastically

recognized and embraced her responsibility to give back to the people and the state she loved.

Her efforts in support of the arts, education, and her humanitarian service provided a beacon of

hope to many in the Ocean State, and her generous contributions to the community continue to

impact countless lives to this day; and

     WHEREAS, There is no doubt that Nuala Pell was a kind and consummate humanitarian,

who left this world a far better place because of her life's endeavors. She enriched the lives of all

who knew her and she will live on in the hearts and memories of the many people whom she

inspired and loved; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of Nuala Pell;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Clay Pell and Michelle Kwan.

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