Cliff Stearns: “I rise this evening to pay tribute to one of the finest men I have ever met, and one of the most important men in the…”

“I rise this evening to pay tribute to one of the finest men I have ever met, and one of the most important men in the history of our Nation's great universities--Dr. J. Wayne Reitz, president emeritus of the University of Florida. His passing, on Christmas Eve, 1993, was a tremendous loss for his family, the university and the many people who knew him well. For more than 60 years, Dr. Reitz sat on the faculty of the University of Florida, and from 1955 to 1967, he served as president of the university. He is widely credited with leading that institution to the forefront of our Nation's schools of higher learning. His achievements at the university were many. Under his leadership, UF flourished, making great strides in research, faculty quality, student achievement, facilities and contributions to the larger community. And, he guided the university peacefully through the years of desegregation with graciousness and fairness.”