[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6] [House] [Pages 7118-7120] [From the U.S. 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 [[Page 7119]] 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 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. 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 [[Page 7120]] 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 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. ____________________