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.
Includes materials from Claiborne Pell's campaigns (bulk 1990s) as well as several commemorative medals given to Senator Pell. The collection does not include documentation of the medals.
The collection is available for research.
Various copying restriction apply, according to the Archives' use policy. Guidelines are available from the Salve Regina University Archives. Salve Regina University owns the copyright to material produced by employees and trustees of the University and work for hire. Requests for permission to publish material from the University Archives should be directed to the Archivist. See also the Archives' copyright and publication statement.
[Identification of item], in SP.19: Dennis Riley collection on Senator Claiborne Pell, Box [#], [Folder/Item #], Salve Regina University Special Collections, McKillop Library, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI.
Dennis Riley donated the collection to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University in March 2021. The Pell Center then transferred the collection to University Archives and Special Collections in July 2021.
University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Genna Duplisea processed the collection in summer and fall 2021. There was no original order in the donation and all organization has been imposed during processing.
Additional accruals are not expected.