Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of an educator, a statesman and a friend, Clark Maxwell, Jr., who passed away on January 18th.

Clark, was born August 21, 1934, in St. Petersburg. He grew up in Winter Park and graduated from Florida Southern College in 1956. After serving in the Army, he moved to Melbourne in 1959 and worked for Pan Am during the beginning years of the space program.

After leaving the private sector, Clark began his public service while serving as Member of the Brevard County School Board. Moving forward, as he always did, Clark decided to run for and won election to the Florida House of Representatives in 1974 and finally the Florida Senate in 1978. He served six years in that body and was eventually elected Republican Leader.

His passion was always education. It began at the local level, progressed to a regional level, and matured at the state level, when he resigned from the Florida Senate in 1984 to become Executive

Director of the State Board of Community Colleges. He served with distinction in that position until 1997 when he formally retired. But retirement had a different meaning to Clark. After moving to Flagler County, Clark continued to support education and even hosted a television program called ``Eyes on Education''; an appropriate name as Clark always did have his eye out for improving the educational system in Florida.

To Clark's wife Margo and his three children, Clark III, Judy Henderson, and Marcia Maxwell, we extend our deepest sympathies.

Clark truly made an indelible mark on education in Florida. In our community, he always stressed integrity, compassion and public service, and through that principled dedication he leaves a proud and distinguished legacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives join me in recognizing Clark Maxwell's years of service and dedication to our community, our state and our Nation.