[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 121 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E771-E772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF PROFESSOR JOHN F. STACK, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2022

  Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart I rise today 
to commemorate a true academic scholar, Mr. John F. Stack, Jr. whose 
commitment to democracy in international and public affairs at the 
Florida International University has left an impressionable mark on the 
community and on me.
  John began his career in 1976, as an instructor and shortly after 
Chair of the Department of Political Science at FIU and remained 
committed throughout his tenure to advancing FIU's core mission in 
providing high-quality teaching, state-of-the-art research, and 
collaborative engagement with our local and global communities. FIU's 
College of Law is credited in large part to John's leadership as Chair 
of the College of Law initiative in 2000 and his devotion to the rule 
of law in remaining part of the faculty for the past two decades. As if 
establishing a Law School wasn't enough, Professor Stack additionally 
served as the founding Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for 
Public Policy and as the founding Dean of the Steven J. Green School of 
International and Public Affairs.
  Due in large part to his determination and vision for FIU, John led 
FIU to many firsts and has impacted thousands of students along the 
way. Under his leadership at FIU's Green School of International and 
Public Affairs, South Florida made history as the first university in 
Florida to achieve the designation of Association of Professional 
Schools of International Affairs, one of only 40 globally.
  Throughout his extraordinary career, he has received numerous awards, 
including Doctor of Humane Letters in 2018 presented by his alma mater, 
Stonehill College. Among John's proudest moment was leading and 
advising FIU's Model UN team to rank Number 1 in the North American 
College Model U.N. Championship in 2019, a first in FIU history.
  John was more than a professor; he became a personal mentor to me as 
well as to my Chief of Staff, Cesar Gonzalez. Before I began my 
professional career a friend recommended that I sit down with John to 
discuss my future. Although I was not one of

[[Page E772]]

John's students, he agreed to sit down with me. After a number of 
conversations, he urged me to consider public service. Though he 
considered public service demanding, he implored on me that there is no 
greater honor than serving your neighbor, community, country and fellow 
man. I am forever grateful for his mentorship and guidance throughout 
my time in public service.
  While the loss of John marks a sad day for FIU and South Florida, his 
legacy will remain. I am fortunate to have had the privilege of working 
with such a talented and honorable individual.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to my dear friend and 
mentor, Mr. John F. Stack, Jr., for his outstanding leadership and 
dedication to higher education and public service, and I ask my fellow 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this remarkable individual.

                          ____________________