Public Simon Courage In Public Service Award
The Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award was developed by the Lutheran Network for Justice Advocacy (now Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois), Lutheran Child and Family Services, and LSSI to recognize a public official from Illinois who exemplifies the late Senator Simon’s commitment to developing just, compassionate and responsible public policy. Patti Simon, Senator Simon’s widow, helped introduce the award in 2004.

Senator Dick Durbin (center) was recipient of the first annual Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award in 2005. Pictured here with Durbin are (from left): the Rev. Dan Schwick, director, Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois; Gene Svebakken, president, LCFS; the Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, president, LSSI; and David Jensen, board chair, LSSI.
Senator Dick Durbin (center) was recipient of the first annual Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award in 2005. Pictured here with Durbin are (from left): the Rev. Dan Schwick, director, Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois; Gene Svebakken, president, LCFS; the Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, president, LSSI; and David Jensen, board chair, LSSI.

In 2005, at the first annual Lutheran Day, the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award was given to U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, a protégé of Paul Simon's and his successor in the U.S. Senate.

At the second annual Lutheran Day (2006), the Simon Award was presented to former Illinois Governor James Thompson for his service on the National Commission that investigated the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. It especially recognized his -- and the other commission members' – courageous effort to convince lawmakers and the administration to adopt reforms intended to thwart future attacks.

On April 27, 2007, the third annual Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award was given to two outstanding public servants, former Congressman Lane Evans and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Hartzler. Congressman Evans, who was unable to attend the presentation due to health concerns, was applauded for his efforts on behalf of veterans’ services and benefits. Hartzler was recognized for his work as the lead U.S. Attorney in the Oklahoma City bombing trial of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols.

When the award was inaugurated at a reception following Lutheran Day 2004, Patti Simon, Paul Simon’s widow, spoke about the meaning of the award and encouraged those in attendance to embrace their role as advocates. “You too, can have the same courage a public official has when he or she comes up with legislation that isn’t very popular and do something that really helps a lot of people. You can do the same in your communities, in your churches, in your schools. And so I hope this is something you remember . . . that this award is made in the memory of Paul for a public person, and you, too, are a public person.”

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The Rev. Dan Schwick (right), director of Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois, presents Joe Hartzler (left) with the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award, with wife, Lisa, and the Rev. Paul Olsen, chairperson of the LSSI Board of Directors and pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church (Springfield), the Hartzler’s pastor, nearby .
The Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, LSSI president (left); the Rev. Dan Schwick, director of Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois; and Gene Svebakken, president of LCFS (third and fourth from right), present former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson with the 2006 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award.
The Rev. Dan Schwick (right), director of Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois, presents Joe Hartzler (left) with the 2007 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award, with wife, Lisa, and the Rev. Paul Olsen, chairperson of the LSSI Board of Directors and pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church (Springfield), the Hartzler’s pastor, nearby.
The Rev. Dr. Frederick Aigner, LSSI president (left); the Rev. Dan Schwick, director of Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois; and Gene Svebakken, president of LCFS (third and fourth from right), present former Illinois Governor James R. Thompson with the 2006 Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award.