Background
Paul Simon was born on November 29, 1928 in Eugene, Oregon, to Martin Simon, a Lutheran minister, and Ruth Tolzmann, a Lutheran missionary.
(Former Senator Paul Simon delivers stirring eveidence of ...)
Former Senator Paul Simon delivers stirring eveidence of a catastrophic water crisis which will explode upon the global community unless drastic measures are taken in all corners of the world, including in our own backyards.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1566492211/?tag=2022091-20
(Fifty-two Simple Ways to Make a Difference is a practical...)
Fifty-two Simple Ways to Make a Difference is a practical and inspiring book for general readers that reminds us that the little things we do count, and offers concrete suggestions for small ways of making a difference. Says the author, "I always run into people who have the 'well-what-could-I-do?' attitude. But small things really do make a difference. The longer I live the more I realize that the small things really are the big things in the long run." This book brings Simon's considerable experience in public service to general readers in a practical and inspiring way.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806646780/?tag=2022091-20
( As we broaden our views, embrace our differences, foste...)
As we broaden our views, embrace our differences, foster advancements in science and technology, and collaboratively strengthen the political, social, and educational underpinnings from which we build informed and productive lives, we have much to be proud of as a nation and as a people. But we are tempted?particularly during times of political unrest and unbridled patriotism?to ignore the far-reaching repercussions of a society that caters to money and power. In Our Culture of Pandering, former U.S. Senator Paul Simon interrogates the arenas of politics, media, religion, and education to decry the disturbing practices that confuse public service with profit-making ventures or popularity contests, that compromise the best interests of the broader population to appease a powerful few. Boldly and eloquently contributing to a cumulative understanding of how we can build a sturdier, more ethical foundation for the future, Simon suggests proactive, long-term solutions to the problems that threaten our countrys moral, financial, and intellectual well-being?problems that are increasingly exacerbated by our culture of pandering. Lest we grow complacent and our nation static, Simon urges us to demand more from the political candidates who chase dollar signs and cater to polls, to raise our expectations of local and national media outlets that recycle gossip and peddle scandals while foreign policy and international news receive back-page treatment or no treatment at all. He asks us to consider the implications of churches that spend more money remodeling their buildings than helping those in need within their own communities and throughout the world, and he presses us to acknowledge the staggering, long-term consequences of schools that drop their academic standards to sustain their reputations and maintain funding. Our Culture of Pandering is a stalwart and earnest call to action from a steadfast and trusted advocate of progressive public policy. Leavened with altruism and rich with compassion for citizens of America and beyond, present and future, this important and cautioning treatise advocates genuine leadership in the realms of politics, media, religion, and education. In his trademark lucid and synoptic style, Simon supplements up-to-date examples of pandering in our society from a breadth of sources with commentary and interpretive wisdom garnered from a lifetime of public service.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0809325292/?tag=2022091-20
academician newspaperman politician
Paul Simon was born on November 29, 1928 in Eugene, Oregon, to Martin Simon, a Lutheran minister, and Ruth Tolzmann, a Lutheran missionary.
Simon attended public schools in Eugene and the Concordia Academy High School in Portland, Oregon, after which he enrolled at the University of Oregon, and Dana College, Nebraska but couldn’t finish his graduation.
At age 19, Simon became the youngest editor-publisher in America.
In 1948, he borrowed money to take over and run the newspaper, ‘Troy Call’ renaming it as ‘Troy Tribune’, and subsequently he established a string of 14 weekly newspapers.
He used the Tribune to expose gambling, prostitution and government corruption and was called to testify as a witness before the US Senate's Crime Investigating Committee.
In 1951, he left the newspaper industry and enlisted in the US Army. He worked as a special agent along the Iron Curtain in Europe for the Counter-Intelligence Corps and was discharged in 1953.
Paul Simon, a democrat, started his political career in 1955, with his election to the Illinois House of Representatives at the young age of 26.
In 1963, he was elected to Illinois State Senate and was one of the key sponsors of the State’s Open Meetings Law and the legislation creating the Illinois Arts Council.
In 1969, he became the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. He served alongside Republican Governor, Richard B. Ogilvie to produce the state’s first income tax and the constitutional convention which created the fourth Illinois Constitution.
In 1974, he was elected to the Congress on a Democratic ticket from Illinois and was re-elected to four subsequent Congresses.
In 1984, he was elected to the US Senate defeating three-term incumbent Charles H. Percy.
In 1988, he tried to earn nomination for the post of President on a Democratic ticket but was unsuccessful, as he was little known outside of Illinois.
In 1990, he was re-elected to the US Senate defeating Congresswoman Lynn Morley Martin. He did not participate in the re-election in the next electoral year.
After his retirement from politics in 1996, he joined Southern Illinois University in Carbondale as a Professor, where he taught political science, history and journalism.
He served as the Director of the SIU Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois which was later renamed in his honour.
The books he wrote included ‘A Hungry World’, ‘You Want to Change the World? So Change It’, ‘The Tongue-Tied American’ and ‘The Politics of World Hunger’, which he co-authored with his brother Rev. Arthur Simon.
He authored a number of laws including the National Literacy Act, the direct student loan program, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and the Job Training Partnership Act amendments.
The legislation he introduced resulted in the formation of the first five federally chartered high-speed corridors including the St. Louis-Chicago-Detroit/Milwaukee corridor.
He sponsored the bill that extended the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to Illinois and the bill that created the Illinois-Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor.
Paul Simon was one of the main sponsors of the Missing Children Act of 1982 which led to the formation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
His effort to curtail television violence resulted in setting standards on violence by broadcasting networks, the Parental Advisory System and an independent monitoring system in 1994.
He wrote a well-researched book, ‘Lincoln’s Preparation for Greatness: The Illinois Legislative Years’. He had referred to original documents from Lincoln’s tenure in the General Assembly and the book was well received nation-wide.
( As we broaden our views, embrace our differences, foste...)
(Former Senator Paul Simon delivers stirring eveidence of ...)
(Fifty-two Simple Ways to Make a Difference is a practical...)
U. S. House of Representatives
On April 21 1960, Paul Simon married Jeanne Hurley, a Catholic. Both of them were serving in the Illinois House. They had two children. Jeanne died in 2000.
In May 2001, while working as a professor at Southern Illinois University, he married Patricia Derge, widow of former Southern Illinois University President David Derge.
United States Senator
from Illinois
