Bill Clinton, Biden to eulogize Pell

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - Former President Bill Clinton arrives in Newport for the funeral of former Sen. Claiborne Pell. Mourners are gathered in a line that stretches around the block so they can attend this morning's funeral service.

Besides Clinton, the eulogists include Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Pell, who represented Rhode Island for 36 years and created federal education grants that helped millions of Americans afford college, died Thursday at his Newport home after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 90.

His funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newport.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed and a grandson, Nicholas Lorillard Pell, also will eulogize the senator.

Liechtenstein's Prince Hans-Adam II will join local and national dignitaries attending the funeral. A reception will follow at the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University. Burial will be private.

Gov. Don Carcieri has ordered flags in Rhode Island lowered in tribute.

For those who would like to pay their respects, several portraits will be displayed alongside a guestbook at the State House starting Monday morning. A guestbook will also be available at the Pell Center immediately following the funeral service. Condolences may also be submitted online.

Due to the large turnout expected at the funeral, parking restrictions will go into effect near Trinity Church at 6 a.m. Monday. They include: Spring St. from Pelham to Mary St.; Thames St. from Church St. to Mill St.; and Mill St. between Thames St. and Spring St.

Newport Police are not planning any permanent road closures at this time, but say there may be intermittent closures throughout the day if warranted.

Eyewitness News' funeral coverage will begin on Eyewitness News This Morning at 5 a.m. The service will simulcasted live on wpri.com and on WPRI Channel 12, with coverage beginning shortly before 10 a.m.