Joseph G Cannon Building Becomes Official on Special Dedication Night

(ABOVE) Vermilion County Board Member Steve Miller and Former Neuhoff Danville News Director Bill Pickett unveil the new bust of “Uncle Joe” Cannon, which will be displayed on the first floor of the newly named Joseph G. Cannon Building at 201 N. Vermilion in Danville.

On a night that had been long planned by a special committee, and just two months after the 100th anniversary of his appearance on the first TIME Magazine cover, Danville’s Former Speaker of the House Joseph G Cannon was honored with the County Administration Building at 201 North Vermilion being officially named after him.

After the Danville Barbershop Chorus sang the National Anthem on the first floor of the building; the keynote speaker, former Congressman John Shimkus, took the podium.  He told Neuhoff Media beforehand that being asked to be part of this ceremony meant a lot to him.  He left his Congressional seat during the COVID pandemic.  And he said it was great to be back for something this special.

Danville Barbershop Chorus performs National Anthem, Former Congressman John Shimkus delivers keynote address.

AUDIO: I’m honored to be asked to return, it’s been a long time.  And part of that was COVID; when I left office COVID had hit, I couldn’t go around, people weren’t meeting.  But when you look back on a career you look at “what are things you can really point to?”  This was one of them.  I get chills up my back.

State Rep Mike Marron serves as ceremony emcee, Bill Pickett receives a handshake from County Board Chairman Larry Baughn after unveiling of the new “Uncle Joe” Cannon bust in the newly named Joseph G. Cannon Building.

The emcee for the ceremony, State Rep Mike Marron; who told us beforehand, outside along Vermilion Street, that this was a special day worth waiting for.

AUDIO: It just, I think, a fitting way, on a beautiful day, to honor the memory of Speaker Joe Cannon.  And to officially name this beautiful, beautiful building that we have here, in this community, because of Speaker Cannon; in his honor.

Shimkus also told Neuhoff Media, and reiterated it during his address, that it must be remembered how far Joseph G Cannon went in his career, and where he came from.

AUDIO: Very few people have been Speaker of the House.  They’re the second in line to the president.  He had a very successful career, and people need to know that.  You know, the other thing that this speaks to is; he had a very hard, scrabble upbringing.  That also sends a message to everyone, young and old.  He pushed it forward.  You can go from someone who’s pushing two pennies together to Speaker of the House.

At the end of the ceremony, County Board member Steve Miller and former Neuhoff Media News Director Bill Pickett, two members of the Joseph G Cannon Commemoration Committee, unveiled the new bust of “Uncle Joe” Cannon that will be on display on the first floor of the Joseph G. Cannon Building.

Friday’s ceremony was a very special addition to the Downtown Danville First Fridays “Sweets in the Streets” event.