Students, political scientists and historians will have easy access to research the long tenure of Congressman John Shimkus (R-15th District-Collinsville) following the completion of his 24-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shimkus and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook announced Friday, Nov. 8 that records, correspondence, photos and more will be housed in the “Shimkus Collection” at the Elijah P. Lovejoy Library on campus.
“We have already begun the process of identifying the material that University officials believe is appropriate for the collection,” said Shimkus of the 450 archival boxes that his staff is going through. “My staff will screen everything to ensure privacy laws and regulations are followed. As my offices in Washington, D.C., and in the 15th Congressional District wind down and eventually close at the end of my current term, items will be transferred to the library.”
“As we approach Veterans Day, I’m reminded of the freedom that we share, and that entails the freedom to come to a library and have access to information, said Lydia Jackson, interim dean of Library and Information Services (LIS). “The First Amendment’s right to freedom of expression encompasses intellectual freedom, which is an individual’s right to receive information in a wide range of topics and views. We at the library are proud that we will be able to make this historical material available to students, to the region and to the world.”
“Congressman Shimkus has been a dedicated public servant for four decades,” said Pembrook to an audience full of local, regional and national legislators, judges, Shimkus family members and staff workers. “We appreciate his service to the state of Illinois and to our country as our Representative in Washington D.C. We also appreciate his military service to our country.
“Today’s announcement is exciting for SIUE in that it will provide materials for future students to study and research, creating richer political science and history resources for our students.”
Pembrook hailed Shimkus for his many accomplishments including:
- Expanding the use of biodiesel fuels
- Expanding 911 emergency number legislation and coverage
- Establishing an Internet domain to provide a safe place for young children to surf and learn
- Encouraging child safety with booster seat testing and placement of heart defibrillators in schools
- Advocating for energy issues and a safe environment
“Southwest Illinois has been very gracious to me. I’m a Republican in a historic Democratic county,” said Shimkus. “They gave me my start. I hope when people look back on the issues I campaigned on and believed in when I first started, they will see that I was consistent to those values. I am also so proud of the connection and partnership I have had with SIUE through the years.”
“Congressman Shimkus and many members of his family are SIUE alums, so his contribution to Lovejoy Library at SIUE makes great sense,” said Pembrook. “We appreciate this very special collection and could not be prouder of this legacy family.”
Shimkus’ deep SIUE roots include:
- The congressman finished his master’s in business administration in 1997, as he was beginning his first term in the House of Representatives
- Shimkus’ father, Gene, earned an associate’s degree in business in 1968
- Shimkus’ wife, Karen, earned a master’s in music, with a music performance specialization in 1990
- The couple’s son, David, earned a bachelor’s in computer science in 2017
A Collinsville High School alumnus, Shimkus graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., in 1980. He then served as an active duty Army officer for more than five years. Shimkus earned a teaching certificate from California’s Christ College Irvine (now Concordia University Irvine) and returned to his native southwestern Illinois to teach at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville before launching his political career.
Photos:
Congressman John Shimkus (R-15th District-Collinsville) is donating his political collection to SIUE’s Elijah P. Lovejoy Library.
SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook thanks Shimkus for his generous donation of his political archival to the University.