Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

NEWPORT -- The funeral services for Rhode Island's late Sen. Claiborne Pell ended at 11:24 a.m. with closing remarks from the Right Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Episcopal bishop of Rhode Island.

As mourners left, they were accompanied by the choir, and the church's famous pipe organ, performing "Onward Christian Soldiers."

A pantheon of New England and Rhode Island politicians, besides those who spoke today, were among those seen in the crowd. They included:

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I.; U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass; U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn; and U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut.

Rhode Island governors were also represented, including current Governor Carcieri, and former Governors Bruce Sundlun, Lincoln Almond and Edward DiPrete.

And there were other notables attending, from the prince of Lichtenstein to former Rhode Island Congressman Ferdinand St. Germain and former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee.

Prominent state Democrats were in the crowd, including Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, Treasurer Frank Caprio and former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino. Also spotted: Providence Police Chief Dean Esserman.

A reception follows at Salve Regina University's Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. Most of the federal political delegation is expected to head back to Washington and not attend.

-- with reports from Journal staff writer Kate Bramson and projo.com staff

 Tags  Claiborne Pell Newport R.I.

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