[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1268-E1269] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] A TRIBUTE TO WALTER J. ZABLE ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY ______ HON. DUNCAN HUNTER of california in the house of representatives Friday, June 17, 2005 Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to a leading San Diego citizen who, on this day, is celebrating his 90th birthday. Walter J. Zable, the founder of Cubic Corporation, has served as the chairman, president and CEO of the corporation for five decades. Walt Zable formed Cubic in 1951 with just one product and plenty of grit and determination. Today, Cubic Corporation is a $722 million company that employs 1,200 in the San Diego area and nearly 6,000 employees worldwide. Prior to forming Cubic in 1951, Mr. Zable was project supervisor in charge of electronics for the Atlas and Terrier missiles, and the microwave and antenna development sections at General Dynamics Convair. His background includes engineering and management posts [[Page E1269]] with Sperry Gyroscope Company, where he directed development of fire control, guidance, communications, and command and control systems. He also held key technical, scientific and administrative positions with Federal Telecommunications Laboratories of ITT, Flight Research Company, and Newport News Shipyard and Drydock Company. Before launching his engineering career, Mr. Zable was a professional football player for the Richmond Arrows and the New York Giants. He went on to receive numerous sports honors, including the 1962 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Silver Anniversary All-American Team and induction into William and Mary's Hall of Fame in 1969. In 1971, he established the Walter J. Zable/San Diego Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFFCHF) to help preserve the genuine sportsmanship and integrity exhibited in high school and college football. He credits the Boston school system for his success in business, because ``if it weren't for athletics during the depression years, it would have been difficult to go to college,'' said Mr. Zable, who received a full football scholarship from the College of William and Mary. Today, he's still dedicated to helping other young student- athletes realize their dreams and reach their full academic and athletic potential through the NFFCHF local chapter, which is among more than 100 chapters in the country. Recognized as Cubic's largest and most visible community relations project, the Walter J. Zable/San Diego Chapter has helped further the careers of the hundreds of honorees, including sports giants such as former San Diego Charger Junior Seau and Mark Malone, a sports broadcaster and former Pittsburgh Stealers quarterback. In 1987, the NCAA acknowledged his contribution to athletics by naming Walter Zable a winner of the Teddy Roosevelt Award, its most prestigious honor. Other winners of this award have included President George Bush, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Senator Leverett Saltonstall. In addition to his work in helping young student-athletes, Walter Zable and his company give generously to charitable causes, most of them benefiting children. He has also set up a $10 million endowment that will become effective for the College of William and Mary upon the deaths of Walter and his wife, Betty. Walter Zable is a humble man who eschews the limelight and would rather see the focus be on his company and its hardworking employees. However, I think even he would be willing to make an exception for this special recognition for reaching his 90th birthday. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Walter J. Zable on attaining this significant milestone and wish him many more years in the company of his loving wife and family. ____________________