[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 27707]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN LOMBARDI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to 
one of the most progressive leaders in the history of Florida, Dr. John 
Lombardi. He has been a cherished friend to me for over the past 10 
years, but he has also been a great friend to the University of Florida 
and the rest of the State. He is a passionate supporter of public 
education and he is also a refreshing thinker.
  I have been able to count on Dr. Lombardi for so many years as a 
valuable friend and resource person. Though Dr. Lombardi is leaving his 
position as President of the University of Florida, he will still be a 
part of the University's community. We will continue to count on him as 
a resource.
  As a graduate of the University of Florida, I am proud of all the 
work he has done to make the University of Florida one of the finest 
public universities in the country, and the best football team. His 
hard work has helped us reach new levels of academic achievement and we 
are all proud of his commitment.
  I know that the State of Florida is grateful to Dr. Lombardi for 
being so dedicated in his advocacy for equal rights and a quality 
education for all of our students. We will miss his leadership, but we 
will count on his continued support and guidance.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding to me.

                              {time}  1900

  Mr. Speaker, Dr. John Lombardi represented and carried through a 
renaissance in Florida's public education. He chartered a new course 
for a university which many times before him was in a sleepy existence.
  Dr. Lombardi came along; he was a university president who had vision 
and he had foresight. He was a scholar, respected. He was an academic, 
yet he was very well-centered in the community, as well as the 
students. He pulled this university up in research and development. He 
shaped and defined a new direction for the university.
  I had quite a few meetings with President Lombardi. I respected him, 
as I was a member of the Florida Senate Committee on High Education. I 
must say to the graduates and the students of the University of 
Florida, John Lombardi will be missed; and to that entire university 
system, he brought them into the 21st century kicking and screaming. We 
are hoping that they will be able to replace him. But I say, no, it is 
hard to replace a man with the genius and heart of a John Lombardi.

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