[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SENATOR PAUL SIMON

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, 2 years ago, we in the Senate--and the 
Nation--were saddened to hear that our colleague Paul Simon would not 
seek reelection this year. As a national figure who truly embodies 
integrity, respectability, and character, Senator Simon will certainly 
be missed here.
  Paul Simon was one of the first politicians to disclose his personal 
finances so that they would be open to scrutiny by the public. He has 
firmly supported a balanced budget amendment in order to prevent the 
Government from continuing to spend itself into greater debt. He has 
been the Democratic standard bearer on the balanced budget amendment 
legislation, and I am still hopeful that we see it become a reality 
before we both leave in early 1997. In the same vein, he has supported 
a line-item veto for the President to allow the Chief Executive to trim 
fat from the budget. Senator Simon recognizes that the Founding Fathers 
did not intend for the Government to operate in the red.
  I think that Senator Simon's strong commitment to integrity in 
Government can be traced to his roots in the newspaper business. At the 
age of 19, he bought his own newspaper, the Troy Tribune. As its 
publisher, he crusaded against local gangsters who had subverted local 
law and order. His success in running his own newspaper no doubt 
influenced his belief in the ability of the Government to operate in a 
thrifty and effective manner while maintaining the same honesty that he 
had shown in running his paper.
  The business flourished, expanding to 14 papers. Then he decided to 
sell his interest so that he could devote himself full time to serving 
his country through Government service. We will always remember the 
candor, wit, and knowledge he brought to the 1988 Presidential race.
  It has been my personal privilege and pleasure to have served on the 
Senate Judiciary Committee with him. He is not a lawyer, but his keen 
insight into the legal issues that affect real people is enlightening 
and instructive. He is an outstanding member of that committee.
  This body will be a decidedly lesser place without Paul Simon. We 
congratulate him and will wish him well after he leaves.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may speak 
up to 10 minutes in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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