[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO FRANK THURBER

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 28, 1995

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honor to 
congratulate a distinguished colleague of mine, Frank Thurber, who has 
become one of the important pillars of Miami-Dade Community College for 
some 30 years. Beginning his stint in 1965, Mr. Thurber was deeply 
immersed in both his teaching role and coaching expertise as a 
distinguished member of the College's Division of Human Performance and 
Intercollegiate Athletics.
  Under the tutelage of nationally-known baseball coach, Dr. Demie 
Maineri, he served with distinction from 1965 to 1969, honing the 
skills of many young players who went on to become prominent members in 
both the American and National Baseball Major Leagues. Promoted to take 
the helm of the Lady Falcon Softball Team for 11 years hence, Mr. 
Thurber brought his team for the Annual State Softball Championship in 
1987 to 1989. During his coaching tenure, the program underwent a 
metamorphosis from slow to fast pitch softball.
  Well liked for his pragmatic approach to combining the art of 
teaching academics and athletics, he developed several innovative 
techniques in a variety of classes verging from First Aid-CPR to Health 
Analysis and Improvement, Nautilus and Archery, along with the 
pioneering of Sports Officiating. The numerous awards and accolades 
with which he has been honored by various organizations in our State 
represent an unequivocal testimony of the utmost praise and deep 
gratitude he enjoys from so many people in our community.
  A graduate of the University of Miami, Frank was the main cog at 
second base for the nationally-ranked Hurricanes Baseball Team with an 
impressive .324 hitting average for four seasons. As he now draws to a 
close his distinguished career, he will look forward to enjoying the 
fruits of a well-deserved retirement with his wife, Cyndy, along with 
their three children.

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