Sen. Paul Simon - 12.09.2003

 

The Loss of a Friend

 

A good man passed away yesterday. A kind-hearted and passionate human rights activist has been lost. Senator Paul Simon was one of the most dedicated supporters of Jewish causes ever to serve in Congress. I was fortunate to work with him on many issues related to the Jews of the former Soviet Union, and even more fortunate to consider Paul and his late wife, Jeanne as friends. Paul Simon was considered by many to be reserved, almost shy, which is a strange way to describe a politician. To me he was anything but reserved, particularly when trying to right a wrong or speaking out against the many injustices that he wanted to correct.

I cannot remember a time when Paul Simon refused to write a letter on behalf of a refusenik or prisoner of Zion, to cosponsor a resolution, or to press visiting Soviet officials about opening the emigration gates. Paul Simon helped to found the Congressional Coalition for Soviet Jews, which eventually became one of the largest Congressional caucuses ever created. Jeanne Simon was a leading figure in the Congressional Wives for Soviet Jews. Together they made a formidable team on behalf of Jews across the former Soviet Union.

Paul Simon left Congress in 1997. At a time of increasingly fractious behavior by his colleagues, he always remained a civil presence. A devoted Democrat, he also had the ability to work with his colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

During his retirement, he remained active as head of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. His many friends and supporters will miss Paul Simon. But most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews living in freedom will be forever grateful to him.

Mark B. Levin
NCSJ Executive Director

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Statement by President Bush
Tributes from Senate Majority and Minority Leaders
Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University