[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 11, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H330-H331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 7, 2003, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor to congratulate the 
University of Florida on its 150th year in operation and of course to 
wish them continued success. It is a great privilege to represent such 
a fine university. I am proud to say that the University of Florida 
ranks fourth in the Nation among public universities and 10th among all 
universities in the number of freshman National Merit Scholars in 
attendance.
  Not only do I have the privilege of representing the university, but 
also the city in which the university was formed, which also happens to 
be very close to my hometown. In 1853, the University of Florida began 
as East Florida Seminary in Ocala, Florida. It was created in response 
to a State decision which allowed public funds to be used to support 
higher education. It later combined with Florida Agriculture College, 
St. Petersburg Normal and Industrial School, and South Florida Military 
College to become the University of the State of Florida, one of four 
State universities.
  Having been formed before the Civil War, the University of Florida 
has been a profound player in both Florida and American history. In 
fact, in World War I, the university served as a base for 400 soldiers. 
These student soldiers were displaced to local boarding houses as 
sentries to guard the gates and dormitories on campus.
  In the mid-1920s, the State of Florida and the university suffered 
financial difficulties, along with the rest of the country. The 
Mediterranean fruit fly crippled the State's citrus production, and the 
deadliest hurricane to ever hit Florida destroyed what was left of the 
State's economy. Then a year later, the Great Depression began for the 
collapse of the stock market. State funds for expansion were virtually 
nonexistent for nearly 20 years thereafter.
  In the Second World War, more than 10,000 UF alumni served this 
country. William Corry and Hubert Schucht, former student body 
presidents, were among those killed.

                              {time}  1245

  The University of Florida has a rich State and national history and 
it thrives today as one of the premier State universities in the United 
States. University of Florida students are among the most active in 
this Nation. With a 46,500-plus student enrollment and 2,000-acre 
campus, the campus is a lively and stimulating environment for all of 
its students.
  Students at the university lead a rich social and academic life, 
which is evidenced by the fact that in a single year there are more 
than 600 student organizations operating on campus and more

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than 2,000 campus concerts, art exhibits, theatrical productions, guest 
lectures, sports concerts and other events in a year.
  With an athletics program rivaled by few Division I-A schools, the 
University of Florida fields some of the most competitive teams in the 
country. UF scholar-athletes have dominated in every sporting arena, 
and it is evident from their dozens of national titles. I am proud of 
the University of Florida's athletic program and foresee continued 
success.
  I also want to congratulate the University of Florida football team 
for an admirable season. Gator fans across the country should be 
excited for this program and their new coach, Ron Zook. Coach Zook has 
put together an outstanding staff, and I look forward to seeing them 
back on top of the SEC.
  Academic institutions shoulder a great responsibility in the health 
and progress of local communities. They not only teach young people 
skills in order to succeed, but also intangible advantages like broad-
mindedness and a sense of the world around them. Education is our best 
defense against hatred and poverty, which is why we must invest in 
institutions that have a proven record of success.
  As any Member of this body would be, I am proud to represent one such 
institution. I congratulate the University of Florida and President 
Charles Young and wish the university long-lasting success. God bless.

                          ____________________