Press Release - Thursday, February 26, 2004
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Lt. Governor Pat Quinn joined by Sheila Simon to announce the "Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship" in honor of the late Paul Simon and his legacy as an advocate for everyday people
Lt. Governor Pat Quinn joined by Sheila Simon to announce the "Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship" in honor of the late Paul Simon and his legacy as an advocate for everyday people
"There is no scarcity of people who are oppressed. There is only a scarcity of men and women with eyes clear enough to see and hearts big enough to act."
-- Taken from "Freedom's Champion: Elijah Lovejoy" by Paul Simon (1994)
"When my daughter Sheila was two and a half years old, she was asked what her father does. She replied, ‘He works on Abraham Lincoln.' Perhaps the opposite is more nearly true, Abraham Lincoln has worked on me - as I hope he always will on men every where."
-- Taken from the Preface of "Lincoln's Preparation for Greatness" by Paul Simon (1965)
SPRINGFIELD - Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn joined Sheila Simon to announce the "Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship" in honor of the late Paul Simon and his lasting imprint on the state of Illinois as an advocate for everyday people.
"Paul Simon made history as lieutenant governor by establishing himself as our state's first ombudsman - someone who helped everyday people cut through the daily red tape of the bureaucracy," Quinn said. "Paul Simon's deep commitment of service improved the lives of average citizens, and we have an obligation to continue his legacy of public service in the Land of Lincoln."
Simon - who passed away last December 9 - served as Illinois Lieutenant Governor from 1969 to 1973. A crusading young newspaperman from Troy, Illinois, Simon rose to national prominence, serving two terms in the U.S. Senate and seeking the Presidency in 1988.
During his tenure as lieutenant governor, Paul Simon used the office to promote education, protect the environment, advance civil rights, and encourage citizen participation in government, especially by young people. He chose innovation over the status quo, the public over political gain, compromise over partisanship, and honesty and integrity above everything else.
"The purpose of the Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship is to recruit into state government committed public servants who will carry on Paul Simon's legacy as a tireless advocate for the public interest," Quinn said.
In the Lieutenant Governor's Office, the Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellow will work full time for one year and will receive a $30,000 stipend, plus $3,000 for health insurance benefits. To be eligible for the Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship position, applicants must have obtained a bachelor's degree by June 2004; demonstrate strong writing and communication skills through a personal essay; and show leadership abilities.
The Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship Review Committee, comprised of Simon family members and the lieutenant governor's staff, will determine selection based on application and interview.
Deadline for submission is May 14, 2004. The Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship year will be from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005. For more information about the Paul Simon Lieutenant Governor Fellowship, log on to www.state.il.us/ltgov (look for the bow tie), call 312-814-5220 or write to the Lt. Governor's Office, State Capitol, Springfield, Illinois, 62706.
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