[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SENATOR PAUL SIMON

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, it is no secret that one regret I will have 
when I leave the Senate is the fact that we did not send a balanced 
budget amendment to the States. And I know that regret is shared by 
many in this Chamber including our colleague, Senator Paul Simon. The 
balanced budget amendment is a cause that Senator Simon has 
courageously advanced since his arrival here many years ago in 1985. 
Perhaps his aversion to deficits and red ink arose from the fact that 
Senator Simon began his career at age 19 by editing and publishing a 
small newspaper.
  Whatever the reason, Senator Simon hit the nail on the head when he 
stated that allowing skyrocketing deficits to continue was ``a policy 
of folly.'' If I know Senator Simon, I know that he will continue to 
write and speak against this policy of folly until it is changed.
  The balanced budget is not the only debate to which Senator Simon has 
devoted his considerable intellect and energy. Education reform, the 
impact television has on our children, and world hunger are just three 
of the many issues Senator Simon has embraced during his 12 years in 
this Chamber.
  I will also long remember the support Senator Simon provided during 
the battle for passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act. His long 
and distinguished public career also includes 8 years in the Illinois 
House of Representatives, 6 years in the Illinois State senate, 4 years 
as Illinois lieutenant governor, and 10 years in the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Somehow, this prolific writer has also found time to 
author 15 books and through all his nearly 50 years of service, from 
his day as crusading editor until today, he has maintained a spotless 
reputation for total and complete integrity.
  Though we come from different sides of the aisle, I can say without 
hesitation Senator Simon's retirement will deprive this Chamber of one 
of our most thoughtful Members. Elizabeth joins me in wishing he and 
Jeanne many more years of health and happiness.

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