[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 49 (Thursday, March 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT H. McCABE: THE EDUCATOR WHO TOOK THE ``JUNIOR'' 
                       OUT OF ``JUNIOR COLLEGE''

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 1995
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday Dr. Robert H. McCabe, 
an outstanding educator and administrator who led Miami-Dade Community 
College for the past 15 years, announced his retirement.
  Throughout his 32 years at Miami-Dade Community College, Dr. McCabe 
built a tiny institution into the nation's largest and most respected 
two-year college. Recognized nationally as an innovator in the 
community college field, Dr. McCabe kept his focus squarely on the 
students who came to the Miami-Dade Community College to prepare for 
jobs and a brighter future.
  Dr. McCabe believed in quality and results. He instituted changes 
that reward professors for success in the classroom instead of for 
research, higher academic degrees or publishing. He tightened up 
curriculums and evaluation standards that made more demands on students 
and revolutionized what courses they took, when they took them and what 
happened if they didn't succeed. But succeed they did, in extraordinary 
numbers.
  Robert McCabe built bridges to local employers and created business 
centers to insure that Miami-Dade students would get training in skills 
that employers need so that graduates could get good jobs. Under his 
guidance Miami-Dade, through its neighborhood and outreach programs, 
became the integral part of our community that it is today.
  In recognition of the extraordinary impact he has had on education in 
this country, Dr. McCabe won one of the prestigious MacArthur 
Foundation ``genius grants'' that provided him with $365,000 to spend 
however he wished. However, the true measure of his distinguished 
career can best be measured in the achievements and contributions of 
the tens of thousands of students whose lives he so profoundly touched.
  For his tireless and dedicated efforts, I join with our entire 
community in extending to Dr. Robert McCabe our profound thanks.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to share with my colleagues an editorial on Dr. 
McCabe that appeared in the Miami Herald:
                       He Gave Thousands a Chance

       In serving Miami-Dade Community College for 32 years--15 as 
     its president--Bob McCabe has left an enduring mark on the 
     South Florida landscape. Now Dr. McCabe, 65, has announced 
     that he'll retire on June 30 to go to work for a group 
     promoting community college innovations nationwide.
       The true measure of Dr. McCabe's leadership won't be found 
     in bricks and mortar--although the expansion of this 
     multicampus school's facilities has been phenomenal. Nor will 
     it be found in Miami-Dade's unique endowment--although that, 
     too, is a singular achievement.
       Not even Miami-Dade's undisputed reputation as one of the 
     nation's best community colleges captures the full impact of 
     Dr. McCabe's leadership.
       No, for that one must look at the thousands of success 
     stories starring ordinary individuals whose extraordinary 
     lives, like Dr. McCabe's, took a detour before they got 
     serious about their education. Their lives and others' are 
     more fulfilled today because MDCC gave them a chance--often 
     when no other institution would--to expand their knowledge, 
     develop their talents, and hone their skills. This community 
     is infinitely richer for their contributions.
       How do you top an act like that? You don't. Martin Fine, 
     chairman of Miami-Dade's Board of Trustees, articulated the 
     thoughts of many on Dr. McCabe's retirement and the board's 
     new challenge: ``I believe that you can never replace a great 
     leader like Bob McCabe when he retires; you can only attempt 
     to find a worthy successor.''
     

                          ____________________