As outlined in a recent article by Tribune Washington Bureau Chief Thomas Burr, the campaign to create a living memorial to the six-term senator has raked in at least $6 million already — toward a likely goal of $100 million or more.
The sources of that haul are, for the most part, not being made public. And, under the existing regime of thin and seldom-enforced regulations on such matters, may never be.
The plan is to create an institution of some sort — probably at one of the state’s universities — not just to house the senator’s papers and memorabilia but also to sponsor scholarships, seminars and the education of future generations of public servants.