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Last updated 10:08 am CT February 09, 2010.
Sheila Simon Remembers Her Dad's Friend
"In our family I would get a new dress at Christmas and at Easter and I also got a new dress for Ted Kennedy coming to town, because it was that big of an event," said Sheila Simon, Paul Simon's daughter.
Simon says Kennedy's help in her father's first election proved invaluable. Paul Simon went on to serve ten years in the US House before moving on to spend the next 12 with his close friend Ted Kennedy.
"My most recent memory was when he came and spoke at dad's funeral, which was really moving and really an honor for us," said Simon.
Simon and Kennedy were both described as liberals, dedicated to their beliefs. The friendship was based on loyalty and admiration.
"I know he appreciated Ted Kennedy so much, not just as a hero from afar, but as someone to really work with and one of the things he often said was that he was the hardest worker in the senate that he was really passionate about what he did," said Simon.
In the 1980's Kennedy and Simon both launched unsuccessful democratic campaigns for President. But it wasn't all serious talk. The two apparently had no problem discussing some things of lesser importance.
"And they also talked about who sneezed the loudest," said Simon.
For the record Kennedy had the louder sneeze.
By Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com
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