This morning, a senseless act of violence occurred at a baseball practice in Virginia.

House Majority Whip, Steve Scalise, was shot in the hip, along with gun shot wounds suffered by:

Zachary Barth, a member of Rep. Roger Williams staff.

Matt Mika, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods.

David Bailey, U.S. Capitol Police.

Special Agent Crystal Griner, U.S. Capitol Police.

The gunman was from Bellville, Illinois.

The gunman inquired, of a Congressman who left the Charity Ballgame Practice early, if the players on the field were Democrats or Republicans.

Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, gave an impassioned and heartfelt speech to the House of Representatives.  The Speaker said, ‘An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.’

The Speaker also said, ‘There are many memories from this day we will want to forget, and many images we will not want to see again.  But there is one image in particular that this House should keep.  And that is a photo I saw of our Democratic colleagues gathered in prayer this morning after hearing the news.’

‘Rep. Mike Doyle, the manager for the Democratic baseball team, said he invited the Republican team for dinner at the Democratic Club as a first step towards changing the heated political climate’, according to the Washington Times.

Can we meet in the middle…after all of the animosity and rancor and vitriolic rhetoric?

One supreme truth, that we hide from ourselves, is that we are one breath away from eternity.

We have more that unites us than divides us.

We love our children.  We love our families.  Indeed we are one Human Family.

As the author G.K. Chesterton said, ‘We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.’

We really have no choice.

I am continually fascinated by good Leaders.  Many people tell us that they are outstanding leaders…and then either proceed to demean and lambast others or point towards their own accomplishments…which are often little more than political rhetoric.

Many years ago, I was involved with the Civil Service Council and our working with then Chancellor Wendler, in the successful implementation of several policies and procedures and pay raises…that benefited Civil Service Staff.

When I mentioned these humble accomplishments to a new Union President…she replied that,’ I would have to get in line,’ to claim credit for a particular positive outcome that enhanced her Union’s Membership.  I replied that she could have all of the credit…as I did not care if anyone knew that I was involved in the process.

When watching the numerous Congressional Hearings that are currently on television, I cannot help but notice the desire of many of our political leaders to posture and preen for the cameras…and yet little to nothing gets accomplished.

Often we are attracted by the ability to make a lot of money…and equate that skill with leadership.

Often we are attracted by the person who speaks the loudest and has the most caustic command of hurtful and damaging words…and equate that with leadership.

Often we are attracted by celebrity or fame or position…and equate that with leadership.

‘And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount of the Lord.  And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entering in of the cave.  And behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here Elijah?’   KJV I Kings 19: 11 – 13

As I spoke with my colleagues, the other day, I was impressed with how nice the Campus buildings look…and how they are accomplishing this with the lowest staffing that I have ever known of in Building Services.

Indeed, the dedicated members of the Custodial Staff are performing Herculean efforts to keep their Campus as clean as possible.  These people are Salukis…in every sense of the word!

As I often said when working with former Chancellor Wendler and several other Chancellors, through the years, please thank the Chancellor…don’t thank me…I only have the ability to request…the Chancellor has the power to grant the request.

And, so, to my friends; the Chancellor and the President, please continue to search for other methodologies and means to reduce cost at our beloved Campus.  Civil Service cannot continually bear the ‘Lions’ Share’ of the cuts.

I was walking Campus today…as I often do…when I happened upon two of my colleagues from years gone by.  I was pleased that they spoke to me…as often they seem not to recognize me when I wave or call out to them.

We enjoyed a lovely chat.  Both of these women…I hired into the department that I headed for twenty-five years.  I also promoted them through the ranks…and indeed I am responsible for the management jobs that they have held since I retired at the conclusion of 2010.

We talked about the fact that Building Services had not received any lay-offs in the group of eighty people, last week.  One of them told me that she had been instrumental in this protection of jobs.  I commended her for it.

I do know that many people have been consumed with the lessening of lay-offs across Campus and the Tabling of plans to outsource.

Elizabeth Cheek, my friend and colleague for many years…and the Vice President of the Civil Service Council has worked tirelessly on behalf of all Civil Service Staff as has Tony Travelstead, the President of the Council.

I grieve for the loss of jobs in the Physical Plant Crafts…they need their jobs as much as any Civil Service Employee.

Brad Dillard, the Director of Plant and Service Operations, is as compassionate and caring Director as I have ever know…and I have known all of them since 1978.

I can say that when people that you called your friends…and that you admired and that you wanted the best for…it hurts…a little…to hear of they’re disparaging remarks…but as my friend and colleague Jody said of me, many years ago, ‘we can not tell who is your friend and who is your enemy, Jay, by the way that you treat them…it seems that you  treat your enemies better than your friends…at times.’

Last week, eighty employees of Southern Illinois University were laid off.  SIU is the largest employer south of Effingham, Illinois…which is a two hour drive north from it.

I spent over thirty-two years…or my entire career at SIU.  SIU is the economic engine that propels our entire region.  Without SIU…we would be likened to Appalachia.

I do not fault the Chancellor and President, who are good men, but I do fault our state government that has failed to pass a state budget for two years.  I am beginning to wonder if it is the Governor’s plan is to starve State Universities to death…and thus effectuate several of their closures?

Fifty-one of the lay-offs were Civil Service Staff.  I was a member of the Civil Service Staff for my entire career.  As a rule Civil Service are the first to go…but their value to the institution is tremendous.  Without Civil Service Staff…you have no University.

In the early 1990s SIU had a peak enrollment of almost 25,000 students.  Housing units that were built of two students were being altered to house three.

SIU was referred to as the second Jewel in the Crown of Higher Education for the state of Illinois, with the University of Illinois being the first.

Southern is renowned for it’s’ extremely highly rated academic programs and is a Carnegie II Institution.

 The abysmal condition of the lack of a Sate Budget for the Great State of Illinois…the home of Abraham Lincoln…is the primary cause of the precipitous decline of opportunity for all of the State’s residents.

I walked the Campus the day that the lay-off notices were distributed.  You could have heard a pin drop!  The silence was deafening.

I think that the Chancellor and President agonized about their choices…I have been impressed regarding the access that they have given me…and I think that they really listened.

Delyte wept..and so did Dorthy…

Although President Trump promises that Coal is going to make a comeback…it is not…that would be a fake promise.

Southern Illinois University is the Promise and the Hope and the Dream of…Southern Illinois.  Little Egypt has no other card to play…if we fold on the University…we fold on our economic life.

In Church Service, this morning, Pastor Janice mentioned that often the most segregated hour of the week, is the 9:00 am Sunday morning church service.

Last evening, in London, another horrific terrorist attack took place on London Bridge and Borough Market.

All to often we are disconnected from the cradle to the grave from those who look different from us, come from different life and family traditions, and who worship in another manner than we do.

We go about our lives neither considering or caring what others are doing…or how they are doing…unless they are members of our tribe.

Large groups of ethnicities and under privileged economic strata, live in the midst of the United States and yet are not integrated into the common society and economy, that the majority reaps the benefits of.

It is thought that this condition may be even more pronounced in Europe, with large minority communities living in an insular fashion from the normal life of the majority society.

How can we understand each other…if we do not talk to each other?

How can we talk to each other if we do not worship together…and yes I mean not only Christians with Christians…but Christians worshiping with those of other faiths and learning of their sincerity in discovering God?

My life’s journey has taken me along a path that has increasingly made me more accepting of all people.

Over my thirty-two years career at Southern Illinois University I continually discovered that; ethnicities, colors, religions. And cultures that were different from mine…were fascinating and that the people from them were just like me…a fellow member of the Human Family.

Close Mindedness and prejudice is taught.  It is not genetic.  To feel that the color of your skin or your faith or the lack thereof…sets you apart and makes you special…is elitism and is the root of the problem of our time.

The more that I have been accepted by people from another faith or lineage or skin color…the richer my life has become.  And yes this includes many dear friends from the Gay and Lesbian Community.

I am always honored and deeply humbled when members of a community other than mine…accept me and allow me in.

I pray that we will all seek to understand each other and accept each other…as the multi-colored…multi-faith…multi-cultured…family of Humanity…and thus…of God.

This past weekend Mary Jane and I had the profound pleasure of meeting the incomparable artist, Peter Max.

I grew up in the 1960s surrounded by the art of Peter Max.  His art was on notebooks, buttons, magazine covers, and innumerable other items.

‘In 1938, Max’s parents fled Berlin, Germany, his place of birth, to escape the fomenting Nazi movement, settling in Shanghai, China, where they lived for the next ten years.  In 1948, the family moved to Haifa, Israel where they lived for several years.  From Israel, the family continued moving westward and stopped in Paris for several months, an experience that Max said greatly influenced his appreciation for art,’ according to Wikipedia.

“Max appeared on the Tonight Show on August 15, 1968.  He was featured on the cover of Life magazine’s September 5, 1969, edition under the heading. ‘Peter Max: Portrait of the artist as a very rich man,” according to Wikipedia.

Jimi Hendrix slept on PeterMax’s couch.

Andy Warhol and Peter Max were contemporaries and friends.

Peter Max invited Satchidananda Saraswati to New York for a short visit, that resulted in a permanent residence for Saraswati and the genisis that brought Yoga to the United States.

Peter Max has been the official artist for; 1994 World Cup, the Grammy Awards, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Super Bowl.

In the 1980s Peter Max was instrumental in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty.

‘Peter Max created 356 portrait paintings of the firefighters who perished in the September 11 terorrist attacks.  Each painting was presented to the surviving families of the firefighters at a ceremony at Madison Square Garden,’ according to Parkwestgallery.com.

We first saw Mr. Max Saturday evening, setting in the lounge of the Hotel that the Art Show was being held.  He appeared to be enjoying the live jazz music that was being performed…and was tapping is fingers on the table to the rhythmic jazz tempo.

The next morning Peter Max greeted the assembled group of one hundred and fifty people, as we gave him a lengthy standing ovation…he seemed so happy in the moment…and continued to blow kisses to us.

He signed a complimentary book, about his life, for each of us…and we had our photo taken with him.

Peter Max emanated a peaceful spirit of tranquility and love…and the humility of greatness.

This past weekend Mary Jane and I were privileged to meet Mr. Dominic Pangborn at an Art show, that was presented by Park West Gallery.

I had heard of Mr. Pangborn’s artistic abilities for many years and had seen his works on more than one cruise that we had taken, but,’ to meet him is to love him,’ as Mary Jane told me Saturday.

Mr. Pangborn was born during the Korean War.  He spoke of the devastation left in the aftermath of the conflict.  As I was listening to him speak on Saturday evening, I noticed his humility in describing where he had come from, and the success that he had achieved.

Mr. Pangborn recounted his life, as a child in Korea after the war, where there was no paper to write or draw upon…and indeed not paper for rest room functions.  He spoke about how he learned to live in the woods and gather food and leaves for his bodily needs.

The Artist spoke regarding his mother asking him if he would like to go to America and his ready response that he would…but then she told him that he would have to go alone.

When Mr. Pangborn arrived he found that he had been adopted by a family that already had ten children…and yet it was much nicer than what he had left in Korea.

This Artist is inspirational…like no other that I have ever met!

Mr. Pangborn’s refusal to take no for an answer and his perseverance to become a renowned graphics artist, including a creator of purses and shoes and ties, and a plethora of other commercial enterprises…is mega-positive inspiration.

Mr. Pangborn’s Art is beautiful and compelling.  He spoke of his dedication to his church and his support for various charities and his paying for three of his Korean siblings to be educated….And he inspired me…an almost sixty year old…who does not inspire easily!

The paintings of the poppies represent Mr. Pangborn’s grandfather simply showing him one poppy that had bloomed in his yard one morning.  Dominic knew that this poppy was extremely important to his grandfather, who he loved very much, and he thus has made the poppy a recurring theme in his works of art.

I do not recall meeting a person who has moved me more than Dominic Pangborn!

Please enjoy this wonderful writing from my friend Ritu.