Former Senator Simpson To Live in Eliot House

This January, Sen. Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.) will trade his home near Capitol Hill for an Eliot House dorm, where he'll live while teaching at the John F. Kennedy School of Government next semester.

Eliot L-22, a two-bedroom suite with a common room, is tentatively reserved for the three-term senator, who is not seeking re-election this November, according to a house committee official.

While Simpson's last visit to Harvard was marred by students protesting his views on immigration, he said he and his wife are looking forward to moving on campus.

"We are very excited and very eager and very moved to come to this wonderful school and participate in it. For the first time in our lives, we'll be able to do what we want to do and see people and enjoy people," Simpson said in a telephone interview from Washington.

Simpson and his wife, Ann, plan to eat meals with undergraduates daily. They also hope to visit the Fogg Art Museum and audit several courses--particularly in art history and architecture.

"They told us we have no kitchen, and we said that's great. We intend to involve ourselves fully with the community of Harvard," he said.

Michael B. Garcia '97, whose blocking group will live next door to Simpson, said he is looking forward to next semester.

"It's awesome. I plan on dropping in, hanging out with a senator," Garcia said. "He always seemed to be a really honest, sincere, straightforward guy."

Eliot L-21 resident Jose M. Padilla '97 agreed, but added, "It might suck for parties. I pretty much blast the music."

When Simpson spoke at the Institute of Politics on March 11 about his plans for curtailing immigration, nearly 150 students representing 20 student organizations protested along JFK Street.

The bill beefs up border patrols, increases penalties for smuggling illegal immigrants and tightens rules for admitting relatives of legal immigrants into the United States. It may be voted on by the Senate on Monday.

Still, Padilla, who is Hispanic, and his suitemates said they had no problems living adjacent to Simpson, noting they are "generally conservative."

Ingrid A. Gaines '99-'98, another Eliot resident, said she might avoid Simpson because she disagrees with his political views.

"I don't like him at all, but I'm sure he'll bring something to Harvard. I might go [see Simpson] out of curiosity, but I'd have to be in the right mood," Gaines said.

Most residents said they welcome Simpson's presence, noting the importance of hearing views from people with whom they may disagree.

IOP Fellow Michael Sullivan, who defeated Simpson's brother during a 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial race, said Simpson's best quality is his ability to debate opponents without attacking them.

"He's able to participate in controversial subjects and become very deeply involved without letting it become personal," Sullivan said.

Senator in the House

Simpson's course, "Creating Legislation: Congress and the Press," will meet at the Kennedy School Tuesday and Thursday afternoons this spring. Officials are unsure whether undergraduates will be allowed to take the class.

The reading list has been finalized and includes Simpson's own book, Right in the Kazoo, which discusses his occasionally-hostile dealings with the press.

The Wyoming Republican is perhaps the most high-profile individual to stay in Eliot House since conductor Leonard Bernstein '39, who was a visiting lecturer during the late 1970s.

Simpson has three children. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1950, where he was a member of the student council and lettered in football and basketball.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, obtained a law degree in 1958 and served in the Wyoming House of Representatives for 13 years.

Simpson accepted the visiting Lombard professorship with the Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy after meeting with Marvin Kalb, the center's director.

"The reason I'm coming to Harvard is because of Marvin Kalb, who said it would be wonderful for me and wonderful for them," Simpson said

"I don't like him at all, but I'm sure he'll bring something to Harvard. I might go [see Simpson] out of curiosity, but I'd have to be in the right mood," Gaines said.

Most residents said they welcome Simpson's presence, noting the importance of hearing views from people with whom they may disagree.

IOP Fellow Michael Sullivan, who defeated Simpson's brother during a 1986 Wyoming gubernatorial race, said Simpson's best quality is his ability to debate opponents without attacking them.

"He's able to participate in controversial subjects and become very deeply involved without letting it become personal," Sullivan said.

Senator in the House

Simpson's course, "Creating Legislation: Congress and the Press," will meet at the Kennedy School Tuesday and Thursday afternoons this spring. Officials are unsure whether undergraduates will be allowed to take the class.

The reading list has been finalized and includes Simpson's own book, Right in the Kazoo, which discusses his occasionally-hostile dealings with the press.

The Wyoming Republican is perhaps the most high-profile individual to stay in Eliot House since conductor Leonard Bernstein '39, who was a visiting lecturer during the late 1970s.

Simpson has three children. He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1950, where he was a member of the student council and lettered in football and basketball.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, obtained a law degree in 1958 and served in the Wyoming House of Representatives for 13 years.

Simpson accepted the visiting Lombard professorship with the Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy after meeting with Marvin Kalb, the center's director.

"The reason I'm coming to Harvard is because of Marvin Kalb, who said it would be wonderful for me and wonderful for them," Simpson said