[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING SEYMOUR SIMON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great 
and respected Chicagoan, Justice Seymour Simon, who recently passed 
away at the age of 91. Seymour was a dear friend of mine, and a 
passionate advocate for justice who exemplified all of the finest 
qualities of true public service.
  Seymour was born on the 10th of August, 1915 in Chicago, IL. He 
attended law school at Northwestern University, graduating first in his 
class. He served his country in World War II and was honored with the 
Legion of Merit medal.
  After his service in the Pacific, Seymour returned to his hometown to 
practice law and serve his community in elected office. He served two 
separate terms as alderman of the 40th Ward, from 1955 to 1961, and 
then from 1967 until 1974. From 1961 to 1967, Seymour represented all 
of Cook County on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, rising to 
board president in 1961. During his career Seymour also served as an 
attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, as 
president of the Cook County Forest Preserve District and as a member 
of the Chicago Public Building Commission.
  In 1974, he was elected to the Appellate Court, on which he served 
for 6 years. He was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1980. As a 
member of the Supreme Court, Justice Simon exhibited a moral drive that 
led him to dissent from the court's decision in many cases, and earned 
him the enduring admiration of his colleagues and the people of 
Illinois.
  Justice Simon was an adamant opponent of the death penalty and sided 
against the court in several decisions which were later reversed by the 
U.S. Supreme Court. In retirement, he continued to fight against 
inequities in the prosecution of Illinois death penalty cases. Former 
Governor George Ryan cited several letters from Justice Simon as a 
factor in his decision to impose a moratorium on all executions in the 
State of Illinois.
  Seymour's life of public service was honored with numerous awards, 
among them an honorary doctor of laws degree from John Marshall Law 
School and the Northwestern University Alumni Association Award of 
Merit. Seymour passed away in Northwestern Memorial Hospital on 
September 26th after battling with cancer.
  Mr. Speaker, Seymour Simon was an inspiration to all who knew him, 
and I am honored to have considered him a friend and mentor. I wish to 
express my deepest condolences to his family, and I ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in remembering the life and legacy of this great 
American.

                          ____________________