[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 105 (Wednesday, September 8, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            JAMES J. STUKEL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 2004

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on February 1, 2005, James J. 
Stukel, will be retiring after 10 years of service as President of the 
University of Illinois. From his days as a teaching assistant in 1961 
to his appointment as President in 1995, in his 43 years of service 
James Stukel has strived to make the University better. Without 
question, he has succeeded.
  As University President, James Stukel has remained steadfast in his 
commitment to enrich undergraduate education. Under his guidance, the 
University expanded access to thousands of students through the 
creation of the University of Illinois--Online system. In addition, the 
creation of the University of Illinois at Springfield has provided 
access for an additional 4,500 students.
  President Stukel was also tremendously successful in securing 
increased funding for academic purposes for the University. Under his 
leadership, the University of Illinois has established itself as one of 
the world's leading research institutions, meriting a national ranking 
as high as 5th and no lower than 7th in terms of federal research and 
development dollars received by any institution. On his watch, federal 
support for the University of Illinois has doubled.
  President Stukel has strengthened the bonds between the University 
and the citizens of Illinois by logging over 200,000 miles and 
conducting 50 daylong community visits throughout the State. This 
unprecedented effort exemplifies why President Stukel is known as ``the 
people's president''.
  Thus, it is truly impossible to quantify the number of people who 
have benefited under President James J. Stukel's guidance of the 
University of Illinois. However, as one of those positively affected 
and as an alumnus of the University, I would like to send a heartfelt 
thank you to President James J. Stukel. He will be truly missed.

                          ____________________