[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 53 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING DR. JIM JACOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 2009

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my good 
friend, Dr. Jim Jacobs, as he is inaugurated as the Fifth President of 
Macomb Community College. Jim has the creative intelligence, passion, 
in-depth knowledge of the challenges facing Michigan, and collaborative 
energy to lead this fine institution through these next vital years of 
economic transformation for our State's businesses, workers and 
communities.
  Jim Jacobs has more than 40 years of experience at Macomb Community 
College. He began teaching economics in 1967 and continued teaching 
both economics and political science for sixteen years before leading 
efforts to establish both the Tech Prep and Machinist Training 
institutes.
  Jim Jacobs has a vast array of expertise in the areas of occupational 
change and technology, suburban economic development, occupational 
education, retraining of displaced workers and needs assessment of 
occupational programs. He has played a significant role in these areas 
at the national, state and local level, both conducting and publishing 
research and developing programs.
  Jim Jacobs is the past president of the National Council for 
Workforce Education, a national post-secondary organization of 
occupational education and workforce development specialists. He served 
on the team that assisted the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic 
Growth in the development of Reshaping Michigan's Workforce: An Action 
Plan of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. He was 
also part of the research staff and a report writer for Lt. Governor 
John Cherry's Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth.
  At the local level, Jim Jacobs is viewed by many as the authoritative 
voice on the economic climate in Macomb County. Each January for the 
past 23 years, Jim Jacobs has presented his economic forecast for 
Macomb County to an often sell-out crowd of business, government and 
civic leaders. He has also served on a number of community boards, 
including Peoples State Bank, Macomb Inter-Faith Action Center, United 
Way and St. John Hospital, and is a member of the board of directors of 
the Community College Research Center, New York.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Jim Jacobs on numerous 
projects over the years. Including, school-to-work efforts, the 
redevelopment of the Tank Plant property (the local committee was co-
chaired by Jim), worker re-training, and the impact of trade and 
monetary policies. On a whole range of issues, Jim is always available 
with wise and thoughtful insights and the economic statistics to make 
his case.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. 
Jim Jacobs as he assumes this important position. With his immense 
skills and masterful understanding of the local area he and the 
community college will play a key role in continuing efforts to 
revolutionize the work force in Macomb County to prosper in this new 
economy.

                          ____________________