[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2211-H2213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SENATOR PAUL SIMON FEDERAL BUILDING

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 2022) to designate the Federal building located at 250 
West Cherry Street in Carbondale, Illinois the ``Senator Paul Simon 
Federal Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 2022

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF FEDERAL BUILDING.

       The Federal building located at 250 West Cherry Street in 
     Carbondale, Illinois shall be known and designated as the 
     ``Senator Paul Simon Federal Building''.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCE.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper or 
     other record of the United States to the Federal building 
     referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to 
     the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2022 designates the Federal building located at 250 
West Cherry Street in Carbondale, Illinois, as the Senator Paul Simon 
Federal Building.
  This bill has the bipartisan support of the entire delegation in the 
State of Illinois. Although Senator Simon was born in Eugene, Oregon, 
he made the State of Illinois his home. Senator Simon's service to his 
State ranged from being a budding newspaper editor to public official 
to educator.
  After attending the University of Oregon and Dana College in 
Nebraska, Senator Paul Simon moved to Troy, Illinois, and pursued a 
career as newspaper editor and publisher. Having successfully built a 
chain of 14 weekly publications, Senator Paul Simon enlisted in the 
Army, where he served from 1951 to 1953.
  From 1963 until 1973, he was elected to various positions, serving in 
the Illinois House of Representatives, the State Senate, and also as 
lieutenant governor. He then continued to represent Illinois at the 
Federal level. He served in the House of Representatives from 1975 
until 1985. Subsequently, Paul Simon ran for, and was elected to, the 
United States Senate, where he served until 1997. Senator Simon then 
returned to Illinois following his retirement and served as director of 
the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. 
He passed away on December 9, 2003.
  This is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the 
State of Illinois and his country. I support this legislation and urge 
my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased today that managing the bill for the 
minority is the distinguished individual who used to be our ranking 
member and then went on to bigger and better things as the ranking 
member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello).
  Although we are requesting that the Senate version of this bill be 
passed under suspension today, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Costello) has been a tireless champion of making sure that the 
companion legislation, similar legislation to this, be passed on the 
House side. It is my pleasure to be with him today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, first let me thank my good friend, the chairman of the 
subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), for his 
cooperation and his friendship and his leadership in bringing this 
legislation to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support S. 2022, a bill to designate the 
Federal building located at 250 West Cherry Street in Carbondale, 
Illinois, as the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building.
  S. 2022 was introduced by Senator Durbin and Senator Fitzgerald. I 
was honored to sponsor the House companion bill, H.R. 3717, along with 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus), the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Johnson), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson), the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Davis), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel), and the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Kirk) to honor the legacy of the distinguished Senator 
from Illinois, Paul Simon.
  On December 9, 2003 we lost Senator Paul Simon, a great public 
servant and a true and trusted friend. Paul Simon was born in 1928 in 
Eugene, Oregon. He attended the University of Oregon and Dana College 
in Blair, Nebraska.

                              {time}  1100

  As a 19-year-old teenager, he became the Nation's youngest editor/
publisher when he accepted a local Lion's Club challenge to save the 
Troy Tribune newspaper in Troy, Illinois. By 1966, Paul Simon had built 
a chain of 13 newspapers in southern and central Illinois, which he 
later sold to better be able to concentrate on public service and 
writing.
  In 1954, Paul was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, 
and in 1962, he was elected to the Illinois State Senate. During his 
State legislative career, he earned a reputation for political 
integrity and courage. While a member of the Illinois Legislature, he 
won the Independent Voters of Illinois ``Best Legislator Award'' every 
session. In 1968, Paul Simon was elected Lieutenant Governor of 
Illinois and was the first person in the State's history to hold that 
post with the Governor of another party.
  In 1974, Paul Simon was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives 
and

[[Page H2212]]

served in this body for 10 years. His legislative skills were put to 
use on issue areas including education, disability policy and foreign 
affairs. He played a crucial role in establishing the National Center 
for Missing and Exploited Children.
  In 1984, he upset three-term incumbent U.S. Senator Chuck Percy to 
win election to the United States Senate. Most recently, Paul Simon 
taught political science and journalism at Southern Illinois University 
in Carbondale and headed up the Public Policy Institute which he 
founded.
  Senator Simon was known for exceptional constituent service. His 
colleagues appreciated his personal warmth and sense of humor. He was 
an exceptional friend who guided and motivated most aspiring public 
servants with his dedication and work ethic. His even-handed, balanced 
approach to topics and controversial issues earned him friends on both 
sides of the aisle.
  Paul Simon set a standard for honesty in public life. He was true to 
his values, his life and his work. It is truly fitting and proper we 
honor the outstanding public career of Senator Paul Simon with this 
designation.
  Mr. Speaker, at Senator Simon's funeral, Senator Ted Kennedy said, 
``In another era, he would have been a Founding Father. He was that 
good. He'll never be forgotten.''
  Senator Simon was a good man that served our country with honor and 
dignity. It is fitting that we honor him by naming the Federal building 
in Carbondale, Illinois, after him.
  Mr. Speaker, I support S. 2022 and urge my colleagues to join me in 
support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as 
he might consume to another outstanding Member from the State of 
Illinois (Mr. LaHood), my friend and classmate.
  (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette) for the time.
  I rise in support of the bill to name the Federal building in 
Carbondale in honor of Paul Simon, S. 2022.
  On December 9, 2003, the citizens of Illinois lost one of the true 
giants in the storied history of politics in the State of Illinois. 
Paul Simon was a leader who transcended political and ideological 
labels. To be sure, he was a staunch liberal who fought for better 
housing, fair wages, a cleaner environment, and civil justice. At the 
same time, he also leaned conservative when it came to fiscal issues, 
but it was the way he carried out the job that made Paul a revered 
figure in a State that is accustomed to larger-than-life figures.
  Paul Simon represented an approach to politics that is becoming more 
and more rare in today's world, an approach in which he not only 
respected the people he represented, but he respected the people who 
were his peers in the institution in which he served.
  When I was first elected to the U.S. House, Paul was the senior 
Senator from Illinois, but he took the time to reach out to me so we 
could become better acquainted and work on issues of mutual concern to 
our State of Illinois. As a leading Member of the Senate, I am sure he 
had many better things to do than getting to know a first-term Member 
of the House. That is the way Paul did business. He knew that good 
relationships were important in politics and legislating, and I am a 
better Member of the House for Paul Simon's efforts to get to know me.
  When Paul retired from the Senate following the 1996 election, he 
certainly could have landed some lucrative lobbying contracts, but he 
chose instead to continue influencing public policy through a different 
arena, one that could have a lasting impression on generations of 
future public servants; that is, teaching.
  From his perch as director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern 
Illinois University, he continued to stay in the public eye, and he was 
able to carry on an advocacy for many of the issues he held so dear. He 
wrote prolifically and on many issues during his time at SIU. He 
continued to travel the world to talk about the issues for which he so 
passionately believed. I would imagine he was as busy in his role with 
the Institute as he was during his time in the United States Senate or 
in this body, and to this day I am sure Paul Simon's approval numbers 
in Illinois are higher than any politician in the State of Illinois.
  Paul Simon is someone who should be used as a benchmark not only for 
future generations of leaders, but for today's politicians as well. 
Paul Simon taught us that you really can get ahead through civility, 
common courtesy and a respect for opposing viewpoints. That is a far 
cry from what many citizens today believe about their elected 
representatives. All of us could do this job a little better if we 
follow the footsteps of our friend Paul Simon.
  I can think of no better tribute to Senator Simon than to name the 
Federal building in Carbondale, Illinois, in honor of Senator Paul 
Simon. I think it is a fitting tribute.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), my friend.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for 
yielding me the time, and I also commend him for his introduction of 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1994, when Senator Paul Simon announced that he would 
not seek a third term in 1996, he said, ``I have an obligation to the 
people of Illinois, to the Senate and to myself to leave the Senate 
while I am still eager to serve, not after I tire of serving.''
  Paul Simon never tired of serving. He was an asset to America. In 
1948, when Paul Simon was just 19, he dropped out of college, borrowed 
$3,600 and bought a failing weekly newspaper in Troy, a town of 1,500 
people across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. He became the 
Nation's youngest editor/publisher. Paul Simon would eventually own 14 
newspapers, which he sold in 1966.
  Paul Simon's political career began with his election to the Illinois 
State Legislature in 1954 and culminated with his election to the U.S. 
Senate in 1984. During his 14 years in the State legislature, he won 
the Independent Voters of Illinois Best Legislator Award every session.
  Paul Simon began earning a reputation for political courage and 
integrity during his years in the Illinois Legislature. He was chief 
sponsor of the State's open meetings law and of legislation creating 
the Illinois Arts Council, and he played a leading role in chartering 
the State's community college system.
  Prior to leaving the U.S. Senate, Paul Simon ranked as Illinois's 
senior Senator. In the 104th Congress, he served on the Budget, Labor 
and Human Resources, Judiciary, and Indian Affairs Committees. He also 
served on the Foreign Relations Committee.
  Education and job training laws that he introduced and were enacted 
include the National Literacy Act, the School-to-Work Opportunities 
Act, the Job Training Partnership Act amendments, several provisions of 
the Goals 2000 Act, and the 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act. He was the leading Senate champion of the new 
Direct College Loan Program, enacted in 1991 as a pilot program and 
expanded in 1993 as a replacement for the Guaranteed Student Loan 
Program.
  Just weeks after retiring from the Senate in 1997, Paul Simon joined 
the faculty of Southern Illinois University. He taught classes in 
political science, history and journalism. He was founder and director 
of the Public Policy Institute at the Carbondale campus. When the 
Institute opened its doors in 1997, Paul Simon said the Institute 
promises to find new ways of solving old problems.
  Mr. Speaker, the last communication that I had with Senator Simon 
came about 2 weeks before he passed, and in that letter he said he had 
seen an article in the Chicago Tribune where some of us had been 
working on the issue of prisoner re-entry, and he wrote to say, I 
commend you and those with you for that kind of work because we really 
need to make sure that those at the bottom of the barrel in our society 
are dealt appropriately with.
  So, Senator Simon, I thank you for all that you meant to all of 
America.
  I hold lots of town hall meetings, and there are people in Illinois 
who think that I copy those after Senator Simon. I can remember going 
to them when there were 5, 10 people sometimes

[[Page H2213]]

present, long before I decided to run for public office, and I did try 
and model them after Senator Simon.
  I support strongly this legislation, urge its passage. There could 
not be a more fitting tribute to a greater American and certainly a 
great hero of mine.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rush).
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend from the State of 
Illinois, the sponsor of this legislation, for yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with mixed emotions that I stand before the House 
today. I say mixed emotions, because one of my emotions is that I am 
saddened by the passing of Paul Simon and that he is no longer with us. 
He has departed this life. But, Mr. Speaker, I am also very, very 
gleeful for the life that he did live.
  Paul Simon, to all who knew him, was one of the finest, kindest, and 
brightest human beings to have graced the political scene in this 
Nation. The former Senator Paul Simon was the only person to have 
served in both the Illinois House and Senate and the U.S. House and 
Senate. During his tenure in Congress, Senator Simon was a champion of 
education and a key advocate for literacy and lifelong learning.
  In the Senate, he was the author of the National Literacy Act, the 
School to Work Opportunities Act, the Job Training Partnership Act 
amendments, the 1994 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act, and the Direct Student Loan Program. In addition, Paul 
Simon held numerous influential committee assignments, including 
serving as the chairman of the Senate's Subcommittee on Africa.
  Without question, Mr. Speaker, Paul Simon was one of the most 
effective Senators to have served the citizens of Illinois and the 
American people. In Illinois, we have produced some great Senators, 
with Senator Dirksen coming to mind and also Senator Douglas coming to 
mind. But Paul Simon certainly stands right in the midst of these two 
fine Senators that we have produced in Illinois.
  Paul Simon's keen political sense and sharp wit was unparalleled and 
admired by everyone who came in contact with him. Mr. Speaker, it is 
only fitting today that we pay tribute to him by designating a Federal 
building in Carbondale, Illinois, as the Senator Paul Simon Federal 
Building. We can do nothing less, Mr. Speaker, than to designate this 
Federal building after Paul Simon.
  I think that we will be serving his legacy well by making sure that 
this legislation passes and that that building, the Federal building in 
Carbondale, Illinois, be designated as the Senator Paul Simon Federal 
Building.
   Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I am in strong support as a proud original 
cosponsor of S. 2022 naming the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building in 
Carbondale, Illinois.
   This resolution honors the memory and lasting contributions of one 
of Illinois' favorite sons--a lifelong mentor, hero and friend of mine. 
I was honored to work on Paul Simon's election to the U.S. Senate, 
where he made the people of Illinois--and all of America--proud.
   Despite winning elections in five different decades, serving his 
state and country in many different capacities, his character, 
integrity and intelligence are what endure and why Paul Simon remains 
one of the most popular figures in the State of Illinois.
   Long before they were fashionable, Paul Simon championed civil 
rights, campaign finance reform, and making college more affordable. 
After his retirement from Congress, his commitment to public service 
continued. He spent his remaining days pursuing what he cared about 
most--education.
   In everything he did, Senator Simon was guided by a deep desire to 
help those who most needed a voice. They always knew that Paul Simon 
was on their side.
   For those of us in Illinois, we can still hear his voice with his 
trademark ``How are you today?'' His voice was one that reflected our 
values--regardless of party or ideology. He taught many of us that you 
can disagree without being disagreeable.
   That the State's Attorney General, a member of Congress, and a state 
senator worked for Paul Simon reflects how his values and influence 
steered many others--regardless of party--toward careers in public 
service. His knowledge, insight and guidance remain cherished by those 
of us who have attempted to advance his values and ideals.
   Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for this opportunity to recognize 
a true hero for many of us in Illinois. We will always remember Paul 
Simon and honor his enduring contributions to our State and to this 
country. His memory will be a blessing to those who follow in his path.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, today the House of Representatives will 
consider S. 2022, legislation to designate the Federal building located 
at 250 West Cherry Street In Carbondale, Illinois as the ``Senator Paul 
Simon Federal Building.'' I would like to take this opportunity to 
voice my support for this bill and to commemorate the life and work of 
my friend and mentor.
  A champion of working Illinoisans, Senator Paul Simon dedicated his 
life to public service. By the time he decided to run for the United 
States Senate in 1984, he had already spent 30 years serving the people 
of Illinois as a State Representative, State Senator, Lieutenant 
Governor, and a U.S. Representative. During his 12 years in the Senate 
he became known as a crusader for fiscal responsibility, affordable 
student loans, and against television violence, as well as for his 
trademark bowties.
  To name a Federal building after Paul Simon is an apt tribute, as his 
honesty, integrity, and hard work are an example of government at its 
best. Even though he has passed on, all those who aspire to a career in 
government can forever look to Senator Paul Simon as a role model for 
how to serve one's fellow citizens honorably, ably, and with humility.
  Mr. Speaker, the designation outlined in S. 2002 will serve as a 
permanent physical reminder of Senator Simon's work on behalf of the 
people of Illinois, and a source of comfort and pride for his family 
and all who knew him. I urge my colleagues to pass this important 
legislation today.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have no additional speakers, and I 
yield back the balance of our time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bass). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2022.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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