[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JOHN E. SIMONETT

 Mr. DURENBERGER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a 
longtime friend and associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, 
John E. Simonett, who is retiring this year.
  I have a very special reason for giving this honor. John is my 
cousin, related through my father, George Durenberger. Until recently, 
I had two cousins on the supreme court. The other, Lawrence Yetka, is 
related to me through my mother, Isabelle Cebulla. I have been honored 
to be their cousin.
  The story of John Simonett is a classic Minnesota tale. Born in a 
small Minnesota town, educated at Saint John's University in 
Collegeville, law school at the University of Minnesota, graduate, 
practiced law in a small town.
  John is the son of a school teacher and a farmer who also substituted 
as a rural mail carrier and sold monuments on the side. While his 
cousins spent afternoons playing cops and robbers, ball games or 
cowboys, John would excuse himself after about 10 minutes to read a 
book. He liked to express himself in such a dramatic way that his 
mother often said, ``John--you'd make a wonderful lawyer some day.''
  John graduated from McKinley High School in Le Center with high 
honors, and enrolled at St. John's where he played football on my Dad's 
team in 1942. And he was a letter-winner his freshman year as well as 
earning the highest average in his class for the year.
  John took halt of his education to serve his country from 1943 to 
1946. But he was back at Saint John's in 1947, and went on to be 
elected president of the student council, membership in the 
International Relations Club, debate team. And he became valedictorian 
of his college graduating class.
  After the University of Minnesota Law School, John joined the private 
law practice of Gordon Rosenmeier of Little Falls. Gordon, a classic 
lawyer's lawyer, served in the Minnesota Senate as perhaps the most 
visionary policymaker in Minnesota history.
  John Simonett and his wife Doris loved living in a small town where 
everyone served their community. He was a member of the Lions Club for 
30 years, served on the board of education for St. Mary's School, and 
held several local and State offices in the Knights of Columbus locally 
and in the State council.
  Highly respected, sought-after, gifted, talented.
  He accepted the invitation to join the International Society of 
Barristers. He is a Fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers, the 
American Board of Trial Advocates, and the American Law Institute. And 
he has served for a number of years as chair of the Minnesota News 
Council.
  John and Doris are devoted to their wonderful children, Anne, John, 
Mary, Martha, Paul, and Luke.
  For all of John's eloquence, Doris is spontaneity.
  Highly respected, a sought-after speaker, gifted with the word, 
talented with the pen.
  John and his wife Doris will give much to their family and community 
in his retirement from the Supreme Court. Splendid lives already--more 
rewarding than ever in life yet to come.

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