Building Good Will

This morning dignitaries convened to name the Federal Building in honor of Senator Paul Simon, a ceremony full of honest appreciation and smatterings of irony, as dignitaries from all over the State gathered on stage to give honor to the late great Senator from Illinois and his family. The music by the SIU band was superb and the croissants were fresh and chewy, which is more than can be said for some of the speeches, ha ha. But I was especially moved (to laughter) by Governor Blagojevich's circular definition of public service. I'd like to read the transcript of G-Rod's remarks about corruption and patronage in government. But all the politicians had nice things to say about Paul Simon ("he would have been a Founding Father," Sen. Durbin reminded us) and Mayor Brad Cole welcomed everyone after the two Senators had left, and spoke of the many services available at the Simon Building (try to speak to a human being there, Mr. Mayor). But the highlight of the day was hearing Paul's grown children Martin and Sheila proudly introduce their own friends and offspring (two of whom have won grade school elections, must be in the blood.) Martin sounds a bit like Ron Reagan (Jr.), something he's heard before, and Sheila, well, she's wonderful. Both of the Simons had personal memories of the Federal Building. Sheila remember parking in the parking lot for movies at the Varsity, and Martin remembered skateboarding up and down the ramps inside while his dad caught up with correspondence over the weekend. Both noted their father's lack of interest in personal honors, but each hopes it helps advance the goals of the Public Policy Institute, which Paul founded after his retirement from the Senate.

I actually got to shake hands with G-Rod, but failed to tell him "Opportunity Never Left Southern Illinois, Governor."

The security was tight, at the event. They even had a guard at the Elm St. entrance, as if anyone would ever try to get in that way. It's always locked. They should just brick it over and be done with it.

(photos and links will be added after the server problem is solved)