[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11214-S11215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SENATOR PAUL SIMON

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I rise to speak to pay tribute to our 
departing colleague, Paul Simon.
  All of us have an image of what a U.S. Senator ought to be. It will 
not surprise anyone that all who serve here measure up. Paul Simon is 
someone who clearly measures up. He is a thoughtful, hard-working, and 
committed American. He has a clean philosophy and the integrity to 
stand up for it. Paul's manner is open. His approach is thoughtful and 
considerate. He is one who cares more about solving problems than 
making himself look good.
  I think of him as a part a long line of Senators from Illinois that 
are epitomized by Paul Douglas. Perhaps I should say that in my mind 
Paul Douglas is epitomized by Paul Simon because both of them brought 
great integrity and intellect to this body.
  It is not unusual for Paul Simon and I to be on opposite sides of an 
issue. But, I have never found him to be unwilling to listen or 
unwilling to objectively think through problems. I have often found him 
able to find solutions that make sense for our country. In short, he is 
the kind of person who comes here to serve, who places integrity in the 
office, and who places the integrity of his person above the 
vicissitudes of the day and above any selfish interests.
  It has been a great privilege for me to work with Paul Simon. He is 
someone I admire now and I suspect I will admire him for the rest of my 
life because he embodies the best that is in us. He has brought this 
body a nobleness which is in short supply. As one who hopes the 
Republican Party will win the seat in Illinois, I will still be sad to 
see Paul Simon go. He has enriched this body. He has enriched all of

[[Page S11215]]

us who have had the pleasure to serve with him.

  I yield the floor.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I thank my friend and colleague from 
Colorado for those excellent words about a colleague--a very serious 
tribute, a very sincere one, and we are grateful to him as a friend of 
Paul's for his observations about his service. I thank him for his very 
generous comments. I am sure Senator Simon will, but I would certainly 
agree with all of his conclusions. I thank him for making those views 
clear on the Senate floor today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senator from 
Massachusetts is recognized for up to 30 minutes.

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