[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12278-S12279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO SENATOR PAUL SIMON

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend 
and colleague, Senator Paul Simon, who is leaving the Halls of Congress 
after 22 years of distinguished service in both the House and the 
Senate.
  Simply put, Paul Simon epitomizes what we think of when we use the 
term public servant. Since 1954, he has served the people of Illinois 
as a State Representative, as a State Senator, as Lieutenant Governor, 
as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as a United States 
Senator. At every level of government, Paul has proven to be a model of 
thoughtfulness and integrity.
  As a fellow member of the Senate Budget Committee, Paul Simon stands

[[Page S12279]]

out, not because of his trademark bow tie, but because of his dogged 
desire to eliminate our crushing debt burden and his willingness to 
take the tough medicine necessary to accomplish that goal. Moreover, 
Paul has keenly understood our obligation to repay not only the public 
debt but also the debt owed to Social Security and other government 
trust funds.
  In addition to his efforts to get our Nation's finances in order, 
Paul Simon has been a tireless advocate for the need to expand 
educational opportunities for all Americans. Specifically, he has been 
a leader in ensuring that those with disabilities receive public 
education, in combating illiteracy through passage of the National 
Literacy Act, and more recently, in expanding access to higher 
education by championing the direct college loan program.
  While all of us in this body will sorely miss his leadership and 
cordiality, our loss is Southern Illinois University's gain where Paul 
will head up the Simon Public Policy Institute. We wish both him and 
his wife Jeanne the very best in all their future endeavors.

                          ____________________