[Page H2734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                      COMMEMORATING DR. JOHN BARDO

  (Mr. ESTES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Wichita 
State University President Dr. John Bardo, who sadly passed away on 
March 12, 2019. In his 7 years as president, Dr. Bardo's devotion to 
education and Wichita State was unsurpassed as he led the university in 
a bold direction that benefited students and the entire Wichita 
community.
  Dr. Bardo's tenure was not his first job at the university. In 1975, 
Dr. Bardo, then an assistant professor of sociology, met his wife, 
Deborah.
  When Dr. Bardo returned to Wichita State as president in 2012, he 
said: ``We came home . . . to reposition this university as a key 
driver of the future of Wichita.'' From developing the Innovation 
Campus and WSU Tech, to increasing online courses, research, and dorm 
space, his leadership accomplished that goal and set the university on 
a path to be a nationwide leader in education.
  Last July, Dr. Bardo was invited to come testify before the House 
Education and the Workforce Committee about Wichita State's leadership 
in innovation. As a member of the committee at the time, I will never 
forget the pride Dr. Bardo showed for the university and our community.
  I know Shockers are better off because of his leadership, passion, 
and vision.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in praying for the Bardo family.

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