There will be a ceremony opening his papers from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the John C. Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library. Speakers include Edward Smith, president of Union Labor Life Insurance Co. and a member of the Democratic National Committee.
Pam Hackbert-Dean, director of special collections at Morris Library, said that Sheila Simon, clinical associate professor at the SIUC School of Law and Simon's daughter, will also say a few words as will SIU President Glenn Poshard.
U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., had originally planned to speak but will be unable to attend.
Hackbert-Dean said there are about 1,200 boxes of Simon's documents.
"It's quite an extensive collection and the great thing is it really documents the legislative process, political history, world politics and national politics at the time," Hackbert-Dean said.
Paul Skonberg, a graduate assistant working with the papers, said the papers are important for students and researchers to see because it is an opportunity to learn from a great political mind.
"He was probably one of the most influential legislators this area has ever seen," Skonberg said.
The papers will also go on tour for a while, visiting the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134 in Chicago and the public libraries in Troy and Benton.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
618-351-5804
Source:The Southern
Media 
