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Arthur Simon
Arthur Simon
Arthur Simon
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Arthur Simon (July 28, 1930 – November 14, 2023) was an American Lutheran minister, founder and president of Bread for the World, a citizens' lobby on hunger, which he served for almost two decades.[1]

Key Information

Life and career

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Arthur Simon was born in Eugene, Oregon on July 28, 1930.[2] He was a graduate of Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.[2] He was an ordained Lutheran minister. His brother was United States Senator Paul Simon (D-IL). He pastored at Trinity Lutheran Church on New York City's Lower East Side from 1961 to 1972. As a pastor, Simon became involved in responding to emergencies associated with hunger and poverty. Wanting to address the root causes of hunger, Simon formed a committee of seven Catholics and seven Protestants in 1974 called Bread for the World. He became Bread's first president, holding the position for sixteen years.[3] After retiring from Bread, he directed the Washington Office of the Christian Children's Fund from 1992 to 1997.[1][3]

His book Bread for the World won the national Religious Book Award, and was described by the Nobel Prize economist Gunnar Myrdal as a "clear and convincing" analysis of world hunger.[1] His most recent book is Silence Can Kill: Speaking Up to End Hunger and Make our Economy Work for Everyone. In 2009 he published The Rising of Bread for the World: An Outcry of Citizens Against Hunger. Prior to that, he authored, with David Beckmann, Grace at the Table: Ending Hunger in God’s World. His previous books include Faces of Poverty and Harvesting Peace: The Arms Race and Human Need. He has also had articles published in many national newspapers and journals.[4]

Simon received a number of awards and honorary degrees, including the Presidential Hunger Award for Lifetime Achievement. He has served on the advisory board for the Center for Public Justice.[4] He was the 35th recipient the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award in 2004. The honor was named after a 1963 encyclical letter, Pacem in terris (Peace on Earth), by Pope John XXIII that calls upon all people of good will to secure peace among all nations.[2]

Simon died at his Maryland home on November 14, 2023, at the age of 93.[5]

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Arthur Simon

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Arthur Simon is an American Lutheran minister known for founding Bread for the World, a nonprofit citizens' lobby dedicated to advocating for U.S. policies that address hunger and poverty both domestically and globally. His leadership and vision established the organization as a prominent voice in faith-based advocacy, mobilizing Christians and others to influence legislation aimed at reducing hunger through public policy rather than charity alone. Simon was born on July 28, 1930, in Eugene, Oregon, to Rev. Martin Simon and Ruth (Tolzmann) Simon, growing up in a Lutheran family that emphasized service. Ordained as a Lutheran pastor, he served congregations including Trinity Lower East Side Lutheran Parish in New York City, where exposure to urban poverty deepened his commitment to systemic change. This experience inspired him to found Bread for the World, which he led as president for many years before becoming president emeritus. Through his work, he bridged theological convictions with political action, emphasizing the moral imperative of addressing hunger as a justice issue. Simon died on November 14, 2023. His legacy endures through Bread for the World’s ongoing efforts and the thousands inspired to engage in anti-hunger advocacy. Arthur Simon was born on July 28, 1930, in Eugene, Oregon, to Rev. Martin Simon and Ruth (Tolzmann) Simon. Growing up in a Lutheran family, he helped his father publish the monthly magazine The Christian Parent. He graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, where he served as student body president and advocated for scholarships for minority students. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

Career

Arthur Simon graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, and attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained as a Lutheran pastor and in 1961 was called to serve as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, an impoverished neighborhood where he frequently responded to hunger and poverty emergencies. This experience led him to found Bread for the World in May 1974 as a non-partisan Christian citizens' movement to advocate for U.S. policies addressing hunger and poverty. Simon served as its first president from 1974 to 1990, guiding the organization through legislative achievements such as the Right to Food Resolution (1975), establishment of grain reserves, expansion of the WIC program, creation of the Child Survival Fund, and defense against cuts to hunger-related aid. After retiring from Bread for the World, he served as director of the Washington office of Christian Children's Fund from 1992 to 1997. He remained president emeritus of Bread for the World and continued advocacy through writings, speaking, and support for the organization until his death. Simon authored multiple books on hunger and faith-based policy, including Bread for the World (1985, recipient of the National Religious Book Award), Grace at the Table (1999), and Silence Can Kill (2019). His contributions were recognized with awards including the Presidential Hunger Award for Lifetime Achievement (1990) and the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award (2004).

Other endeavors

No other endeavors beyond his pastoral ministry and leadership of Bread for the World are documented in reliable sources for Arthur Simon.

Personal life

Arthur Simon was married to Shirley Simon. They had four children: Nathan, Peter (married to Heather), Richard, and Leah (married to Ras-I). They also had four grandchildren: Isaiah, Amelia, RJ, and Amaria. Simon had a brother, Paul Simon, a former United States Senator.
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