[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 116 (Thursday, July 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF EDWARD STACK

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                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2022

  Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable man, a 
living legend, and a champion of civil rights. Although Edward Stack is 
not being inducted today, and it has been said by his high school coach 
that he couldn't ``catch a baseball with a bushel basket'', this man is 
the heart and soul of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Born in Sea 
Cliff, and a longtime resident of Glen Head, New York, Ed served as 
Chairman of the Board from 1977 to 2000, and as an officer from 1961 to 
1977. Due to his tireless efforts, the Hall of Fame saw tremendous 
growth and multi-million-dollar expansions. Even more significant, were 
the historical milestones which took place under Ed's leadership. The 
most notable being the inclusion of former Negro League players, who 
had been excluded from Major League baseball prior to Jackie Robinson.
  The inclusion of the Negro League superstars was a moment of lasting 
pride, according to Ed. It was a victory for civil rights and the 
correction of an injustice which, Ed says, took way too long to be 
corrected. With Ed's efforts, players such as Satchel Paige, Josh 
Gibson, Judy Johnson, Cool Papa Bell, Buck Leonard, and Martin Dihigo, 
those whose groundbreaking accomplishments had been overlooked simply 
due their color, were finally given the recognition they deserved.
  In order to protect the integrity of baseball, Ed fought to prohibit 
players who broke the rules, specifically those who used performance 
enhancing drugs. Ed is well known to many acclaimed baseball 
celebrities who adore him. Babe Ruth's widow, Claire, considered him a 
close friend. Yogi Berra and his wife affectionately called Ed ``blue 
eyes.'' Ed has also visited numerous presidents in the Oval Office and 
had a special bond with Ronald Reagan.
  As impressive as Ed's professional accomplishments is his generosity. 
In his retirement, Ed serves as an officer or director for 19 different 
charitable and cultural organizations, including the Bassett Medical 
Center, the Farmers' Museum, the New York State Trooper Foundation, the 
Salvation Army, and the Mental Health Association of Nassau County.
  He is a frequent donor to his alma mater, Pace University, where he 
once served as student council president. Ed invests in education 
because he hopes to give others the same opportunity for success that 
he had. In 1991, Pace recognized his outstanding contribution by 
awarding him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. In tribute to Ed's 
constant support, the University named the Edward W. Stack ``56 Suite'' 
at Alumni Hall, in his honor.
  Today, Ed and his wife, Christina, have used their financial success 
to support those in need. They are significant donors to multiple 
philanthropic causes. The SCO Family of Services describe the couple's 
compassion by saying, ``Ed Stack and his wife Chris are in a league of 
their own when it comes to helping others.''
  Ed and his wife raised three beautiful daughters named Amy, Kim, and 
Suzanne. Ed is also a beloved ``Opa,'' or grandfather, to Kara, Lucy, 
and McGill. Ed's daughters describe their father as hardworking and 
resilient. As a child, Ed had overcome Polio. He was told he would 
never walk again, but Ed persevered and proved the doctors wrong. 
Although walking was difficult, Ed would commute an hour and a half to 
work every day. Ed's daughter Amy describes Ed's dedication as such 
that sometimes he'd fall down the train stairs because his legs would 
give out, but she never remembers him ever complaining about his 
commute. Amy says that it always amazes her that her father could drink 
a cup of black coffee at 11pm before going to bed, have no problem 
sleeping, and then wake up at 5am to catch the train.
  Ed's whole life was about helping others. During the rare moments 
when Ed was not in meetings, he would spend his time walking his dogs 
at Tappen Beach, baking gluten free bread for Kim, and helping his 
children with their homework. Ed also loved to care for the elderly. On 
weekends Ed would take his family with him to different elderly 
friends' houses, and Ed's family would help them with their taxes or 
finances. Now, as a grandfather, Ed can be found doting on his 
grandchildren and giving them scooter rides around the hallways of the 
Harborside Community in Port Washington.
  As the famous poet from our district, Walt Whitman, once said, ``I 
see great things in baseball.'' Baseball is more than a game; it is a 
thread which has tied Americans of all backgrounds together since the 
beginning of our nation's history. During the Civil War, baseball was 
used to boost morale on the battlefield. During World War Two, 
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated in his famous green light 
letter that, even in these trying times, ``I honestly feel that it 
would be best for the country to keep baseball going.'' Today we 
proudly recognize and thank Ed for his trailblazing contributions to 
our national pastime, his contributions to social justice, and his 
immense philanthropy.

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