"Steve's relentless vision and life's work to ensure that students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, income or any other of the diverse characteristics that define the American people, must have educational opportunity at every level. He was an inspiration to thousands of us who stand on the shoulders of his legacy to do more, to do better, to give more and to push forward until education for all becomes a fundamental right for every American. With great love and sorrow." 

-Martha J. Kanter, Under Secretary of Education for the U.S. Department of Education