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Walton, the only black in the state Senate, mentioned Pell's Foreign Relations chairmanship in a brief speech before Pell spoke: "I hate to think of the idea that Jesse Helms could be chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee."

Pell's well-documented eccentricities provided the fuel yesterday for several jokes. Rhode Islanders are so familiar with the millionaire who drives ancient cars, and wears frayed-collared shirts and suits that most people with his wealth would have consigned to the attic years ago, that "Senator Pell stories are a part of Rhode Island folklore," Connell said.

FAMILY: Married to Nuala (O'Donnell) Pell; two daughters, Dallas Pell Yates and Julia Pell; two sons, Herbert and Christopher; and five grandchildren.