Dennis Riley collection on Senator Claiborne Pell (SP.19)

Biographical and Historical Note

Dennis Riley served as a Senate staff member for 34 years. Born March 3, 1948, he taught in the Pawtucket school system before becoming field coordinator for Senator Claiborne Pell's reelection in 1972. He then continued to work on the personal staff of Senator Pell, first as a staff assistant in D.C. from 1973 to 1978, and later as Senator Pell's reelection campaign manager in 1979. From that point on, Riley worked as assistant director of the Senator's Rhode Island office.

When Senator Pell retired and Senator Jack Reed was elected to take his place, Dennis Riley was asked to join the latter's staff. During his time with Senator Reed, Riley worked on various special projects and assisted hundreds of agencies and organizations seeking Federal assistance. Riley was also involved in the crafting of many public policy initiatives in the state of Rhode Island. He retired on January 1, 2008.

Claiborne deBorda Pell (1918-2009) served as a senator for the state of Rhode Island, 1961-1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Pell's key accomplishment was the creation of the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, later renamed after him. The Pell Bridge between Newport and Jamestown, Rhode Island is named after him, as is the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University.