| For Immediate Release August 17, 2004 |
Contact: Cindi Canary
|
ABNER MIKVA AND DAWN CLARK NETSCH HONORED
WITH PAUL SIMON PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
Abner Mikva and Dawn Clark Netsch, two longtime advocates of government reform, have been awarded the Paul Simon Public Service Award by the government watchdog organization founded by Simon in 1999.
The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) presented the award in recognition of their longtime commitment to more open and accountable government, campaign finance reform and improved ethical behavior in government.
"This is the first time ICPR has given an award in Paul Simon’s name, and it is fitting that the first to be honored are two of Paul’s dearest friends and strongest allies in his many efforts to make government more open and honest," said Cynthia Canary, Director of ICPR.
ICPR presented the award at an August 12th event featuring Simon’s daughter, Sheila, as the guest of honor and State Senator Barack Obama.
Early in his public service career, Mikva served with Paul Simon in the Illinois House where Mikva helped pass sweeping reforms of the state criminal code and fought against corruption in the state welfare system. He later was a five-term congressman; served as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Washington, D.C., circuit; and was White House counsel for President Bill Clinton. In 1996, Mikva and his wife, Zoe, founded the Mikva Challenge Grant Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to providing Chicago high school students with opportunities to participate in the political process.
After serving as a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1970, Netsch was elected to the Illinois Senate. During nearly two decades of service in the legislature, Netsch was a spirited, independent voice for reform of laws governing how campaigns are financed and government is run in Illinois. A distinguished lawyer and feisty debater, Netsch also earned a reputation as an expert on government finance issues. In 1990, she was elected State Comptroller, the first woman to be elected to a state constitutional executive office. She now is on the faculty of the Northwestern University School of Law.
"Ab and Dawn have been strong supporters of ICPR and are always available for wise counsel and challenging assignments," Canary said. "Like Paul Simon, they considered it an honor to serve in government, and they continue today to help us work for an independent judiciary and a government more responsive to the people and less influenced by special interests."
ICPR led the effort to pass sweeping ethics reform legislation in 2003. Its work includes monitoring enforcement of the new ethics law; researching and reporting of contribution and expenditure trends in the 2004 election; encouraging informed and issue-oriented debate in judicial elections; developing non-partisan, state-sponsored voter education guides; advocating increased and improved coverage of election campaigns by the broadcasters; and seeking passage of legislation to limit the influence of large contributors to political campaigns.
For more information and photos of the event visit the ICPR website (www.ilcampaign.org).
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