Bill Clinton (and Ted Kennedy) to Speak at Sen. Paul Simon's Funeral

NBC5 ^ | Dec. 12, 2003 | AP

[mountaineer]

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Bill Clinton heads a list of past and present government officials scheduled to speak at the funeral Sunday for former Sen. Paul Simon at Southern Illinois University.

Clinton will deliver an address at the public funeral, as will Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, former Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, university spokeswoman Sue Davis said Thursday.

The funeral is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the SIU Arena. Carbondale is about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis.

Simon, 75, who had served as director of SIU's Public Policy Institute since retiring from the Senate in 1997, died Tuesday from complications after heart surgery.

Other speakers at Simon's funeral will include Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who once was on his staff, and Abner Mikva, a former federal judge who served with Simon in the Illinois House, Davis said.

[mountaineer]

Looking forward to a Wellstone-like event.

[Peach]

Just what I was going to post. Ditto your thoughts.

[mountaineer]

The high-powered guests delivering the eulogies may be delivering them to a crowded arena.

Matt Baughman, a spokesman for the Public Policy Institute, has acted as pointman for travel arrangements, offering directions and flight information for getting to Carbondale. Baughman said telephones at the institute have rung almost without pause since word of Simon's death.

"Based on the level of interest from around the nation and from our own region alone we expect several thousand people to be in attendance," Baughman said.

Baughman said the institute also expects a "high turnout" at the funeral by Simon's former Washington, D.C., colleagues.

So far, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and U.S. Sens. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., have said they are coming. State political figures whom Baughman said have made plans to attend are: Gov. Rod Blagojevich, former Gov. Jim Edgar, House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, D-Chicago, Senate President Emil Jones Jr., D-Chicago, Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Former Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern also has expressed interest in attending, Baughman said.

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full story: http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/2003/12/12/build/top/TOP001.html

[cajungirl]

Paul Simon was a good man . He must be rolling over in his coffin right now.

[tractorman]

The Rats sure know how to put he fun in funeral.

[Miss Marple]

Funerally ping!

[mountaineer]

People around Illinois are remembering Senator Paul Simon as a man of integrity. .... Friends, fellow politicians and other admirers spoke of Simon's contributions to the state. Many remembered his down-to-earth nature. "It's a real loss... public service as an honorable profession," said Dawn Clark Netsch, former Illinois comptroller. link to story

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So why insult the man's character by having people like Clinton and Kennedy - utterly devoid of integrity - taint his funeral?

[tractorman]

The Rats sure know how to put the fun in funeral.

(I guess I need a FR grammar checker)

[1Old Pro]

I'm sure Simon's family is relieved that we're not in the midst of an election.

[Peach]

He was a good man. I was sorry to hear he'd passed away and I'm sure he would not want his funeral turned into a political event. His family should tell Clinton to keep his mouth shut.

[Redleg Duke]

Unfortunately, I am not riding the Acela this weekend. I hope someone else is monitoring the RAT Running Dogs.

[Redbob]

Simon was Jimmy Carter with a bowtie, but without the charming accent.

That is to say: Nothing at all, and he'll scarcely be missed.

[TheBigB]

Who'll be the first to scream "WE WILL WIN! WE WILL WIN!"

[katykelly]

The article forgot to mention he endorsed Howard Dean.

[thinktwice]

May he rest in peace -- Simon, that is.

Wherever Clinton goes -- that is hell.

[HenryLeeII]

Agreed. Even though I didn't agree with many of his positions, the former senator seemed to be a decent and honorable man, unlike the two pigs that will be using his funeral for political photo-ops (and also ego massaging, in BeelzeBubba's case). I wonder if this white trash duo will be laughing as they enter the cemetary, only to muster up a tear when they notice the cameras rolling?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Simon would roll over in his grave if he knew Clinton was coming to his funeral.

[cajungirl]

I don't know if it is fair to sum up the life of a man with such a small statement. I think he will be missed by alot of people. He was more than a jimmie carter lookalike.

[Puppage]

You read my mind.

[The_Victor]

Wellstone Round II.