Lt. Gov. Quinn Leads Ceremony Celebrating New Paul Simon Parkway

TROY - On Friday, June 30, 2006, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn led a ceremony to announce the new Paul Simon Parkway and Freeway, a tribute to the late U.S. Senator's life of dedicated public service.

                

            Quinn unveiled the new sign marking the Paul Simon Parkway at a short ceremony outside the Paul Simon Museum in Troy, Illinois. The new Parkway signs are marked with the Senator's name and a bowtie - a reference to Sen. Simon's trademark neckwear. 

 

"Senator Paul Simon's integrity and intelligence inspired everyone who knew him," Quinn said.  "I hope everyone who drives on this new Paul Simon Parkway and Freeway will be reminded of Senator Simon's tireless advocacy for the rights of everyday people.  He was a great man, and he left behind a great legacy of public service for the people of Illinois."

                       

The Lt. Governor was joined at the ceremony by the late Senator's daughter, Sheila Simon, a member of the Carbondale City Council.  Illinois Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R-Greenville) also attended, along with Illinois State Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton), who sponsored HJR 15 -- the bill designating the Parkway -- with State Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Greenville). Darrell Hampsten, director of the Paul Simon Museum, and Madison County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan also took part in the celebration.

 

            The portion of Illinois Route 162 that has been newly designated as the Paul Simon  Parkway extends from U.S. 40 to Formosa Road. The Illinois General Assembly also designated 2-mile sections of Interstate routes 270 West, 70 East, and 55/70 South as the Paul Simon Freeway.

Paul Simon began his career of public service at the age of 19, when he founded the Troy Tribune and became the youngest newspaper publisher in the United States.  He was elected to the Illinois House in 1954, and moved up to the Senate in 1962. In 1968, Simon was elected Illinois Lt. Governor and served one term. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974, serving 10 years before winning election to the U.S. Senate. He retired from the Senate in 1997.  Throughout his long career, he was a strong, dependable voice for the needs of working people in Illinois and throughout the United States.  He passed away in 2003.

In 2004, Lt. Gov. Quinn created the Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship to honor Sen. Simon.  In announcing the annual one-year fellowships, Quinn said: "I hope to recruit promising young people into state government who will carry on Paul Simon's legacy as a tireless advocate for the public interest."