[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 134 (Wednesday, September 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11258-S11259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RETIREMENT OF SENATOR PAUL SIMON

  Mr. BYRD. Madam President, as we here in the Senate complete our work 
in the waning days of the 104th Congress, I would like to take just a 
few minutes now to note the retirement of Senator Paul Simon, one of 
the finest public servants it has been my privilege to know. Although 
Senator Simon is leaving us at the conclusion of only his second term, 
his accomplishments and his work in the Senate are representative of 
those who have served far more years.
  Anyone who knew Paul Simon as a young man must have known that this 
was someone who was going somewhere, was going to go beyond the norm, 
someone who was going to succeed despite his modest beginnings.
  Consider, for example, that at the tender age of 19, an age when few 
young men possess the maturity and the passion necessary for such an 
undertaking, Senator Simon began his career when he bought the Troy 
Tribune in Troy, IL, thus becoming the youngest editor-publisher in the 
Nation. There he made a name for himself by leading a crusade against 
local crime figures and machine politicians. Eventually expanding his 
business to a chain of 14 weeklies, Senator Simon's dedication to the 
principles of free speech and political reform were solidified as a 
result of his firsthand experience.
  Following his service in the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps, 
which included an assignment along the Iron Curtain during the height 
of the cold war, the young Senator-to-be returned to the United States 
and entered legislative politics by winning election to the Illinois 
House of Representatives in 1954.
  Madam President, as a clear signal of the political reformer he 
intended to be, Representative Paul Simon was one

[[Page S11259]]

of the first legislators to publicly release his personal financial 
data, a practice that he has observed ever since. After 8 years in the 
House, Paul Simon moved to the Illinois Senate where he again served 
with distinction. In addition to gaining invaluable experience in the 
State legislature, Senator Simon's illustrious career also includes 
service as his State's Lieutenant Governor, as a teacher at both 
Sangamon State University in Springfield and the John F. Kennedy School 
of Politics at Harvard University and as a U.S. Congressman in the 
House of Representatives.
  I believe that the public life of Paul Simon will best be remembered 
for the passion and the integrity that he brought to his work in the 
Senate. Let us not forget that it was our colleague from Illinois who 
was the Senate's lead sponsor of the direct student loan program which 
President Clinton has cited as one of the major legislative 
achievements of his Presidency. Let us not forget that it was Paul 
Simon who led the way and won passage of the National Literacy Act, a 
bill that created national and State literacy centers to improve the 
education of adults. And let us not forget that it was our same soft-
spoken friend who championed the School-to-Work Opportunities Act so 
that those young citizens who may not go on to college are not left 
behind. And let us not forget that it was the former newspaper man, for 
whom the first amendment has always had special meaning, who was 
willing to take on the broadcast networks and lead the fight to curb 
television violence.

  Despite these numerous accomplishments, I personally will remember 
with eternal respect and admiration the degree of passion and 
intellectual intensity that Senator Simon brought to our several 
debates over the balanced budget constitutional amendment. Since 
entering this body in January of 1985, no one has been more outspoken 
on the need for a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced Federal 
budget than has my friend, Paul Simon.
  Of course, no one has opposed it with more intensity than I have 
opposed it, but that does not gainsay the fact that he was a very 
worthy protagonist and supporter of that amendment.
  Now, Paul--not Paul Simon, the Apostle Paul--in his epistle to the 
Philippians said, and I read from chapter 4, verse 8:

       Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
     things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
     things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever 
     things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if 
     there be any praise, think on these things.

  Madam President, as I look at that bit of Scripture which has been 
given to us by the Apostle Paul, I think of its application to the life 
of Paul Simon--Paul Simon. Paul the Apostle said, ``Whatsoever things 
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just.'' I 
think these typify the life and actions of Paul Simon. He is true; he 
is honest. I cannot even imagine Paul Simon ever doing a dishonest 
thing or ever having spoken an untrue word or ever having acted other 
than in a just and upright manner. So the Apostle Paul may very well 
have been speaking of Paul Simon and others like him.
  So throughout it all, Madam President, the hours upon hours that we 
spent in this Chamber debating the balanced budget amendment and 
others, I never once saw Paul Simon exhibit any rancor, never once did 
he waver in his commitment to his cause, and I can say truthfully that 
in all of my 44 years in the Congress of the United States I have never 
faced a more affable, a more sincere opponent than I have faced in the 
likes of the senior Senator from Illinois.
  Paul Simon has served his country as a journalist, editor, 
businessman, soldier, teacher, and legislator. In each of these 
endeavors he has always undertaken his work skillfully, fairly, and 
with a degree of integrity and honesty that has been an inspiration to 
us all. As he prepares to leave the Senate and return to his beloved 
State of Illinois, I offer this remarkable American my gratitude for 
his fairness and good fellowship. He is, indeed, the happy warrior, and 
I extend my best wishes to him, and so does Erma, my wife--to him and 
to his lovely wife, our best wishes, by saying thank you and good luck 
to our friend from the State of Illinois.
  Madam President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who seeks recognition? The Senator from New 
Mexico.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Madam President, first let me compliment my colleague, 
the Senator from West Virginia, on the eloquent statements he has made 
with regard to our colleagues here. He speaks with great eloquence and 
feeling about both Senator Pell and Senator Simon. Obviously, I join 
him in the accolades that he is heaping upon both of those Senators. 
They are certainly deserving.
  (The remarks of Mr. Baucus and Mr. Bingaman pertaining to the 
introduction of S. 2123 are located in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I yield the floor and suggest the 
absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Snowe). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. PRESSLER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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