[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 121 (Friday, September 5, 2003)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1709-E1710] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO DR. ROBERT INGRAM ______ HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK of florida in the house of representatives Thursday, September 4, 2003 Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a versatile and committed public servant in my District, the Rev. Dr. Robert Ingram. This honor has long been in coming for his service to our community in various capacities. Among the roles he has held was that of Chief of Police, City Manager and subsequently Mayor of the City of Opa-Locka. His current elected position as Vice-Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school system in the nation with some 370,000 students, is what occupies his waking hours as he doggedly tackles the awesome task of balancing the learning needs of students amidst the dwindling education dollars that now fund our schools. In its most recent article entitled: ``Robert Ingram: The Ascension of an Ex-Miami Cop,'' the FLAVOUR Black Florida Life & Style Magazine succinctly quoted the City of Miami's first Black Police Chief Clarence Dickson when he described Dr. Ingram's service record thus: ``. . . his life is legend and is about as close to the impossible dream as I have witnessed . . . not in my wildest dreams would I have predicted the accomplishments, the challenges, the risk, the courage, the sacrifices, the victories and the successes this man would achieve though all of the evidence was there in those early days.'' He has spoken clearly on such issues as money, reparations, black-on- black crime, affordable housing, civil rights, love, equal rights [[Page E1710]] amendment, rap music, etc. and all the implications inherent in these core issues that now crowd the African-American community's agenda. Dr. Ingram exudes the preeminence of a noble gentleman, as well as the virtues of a lucid scholar as he is wont to expound during School Board meetings his unwavering positions on equal educational opportunities for minorities, the controversial incongruence of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), along with his unconditional passion for justice and equal rights for all. Ever since I have known Dr. Ingram, he has always been at the forefront of ensuring equal participation in the shared duties and responsibilities on the part of Miami-Dade County's citizenry. At the same time, his forceful advocacy in adhering to the tenets of equal treatment under the law not only in the halls of academia= but also in every segment of our government agencies has become legendary. In fact, countless others have been touched by his genuine commitment, especially towards those who could least fend for themselves. Dr. Ingram is the consummate public servant and community activist who abides by the dictum that those who have less in life through no fault of their own should be helped by the government-- regardless of race or creed, gender or class. The numerous accolades with which he has been honored by various organizations and agencies at the local, state and national levels attest to an unequivocal testimony of the utmost respect he enjoys. Blessed with a down-to-earth common sense and yet consecrated by his religious calling to serve the ``. . . least of these,'' he is also imbued with the rare wisdom of recognizing both the strengths and limitations of those empowered by the electorate to govern. This unique leadership is being tested to the hilt during School Board meetings as he draws attention to the basic purpose of our public schools--that of maximizing the learning potential of every student and that the success of any school is genuinely measured by how well it is reaching out even to those students who are being left behind. Dr. Ingram thoroughly understands the accoutrements of power and leadership, and he is wisely exercising them alongside the mandate of his conviction and the call of his conscience as he engages all their energies toward advancing the good of the community he has learned to love and care for so deeply. He exudes the kind of genuine faith and anchors his hope in the Godgiven abilities of the students attending the Miami-Dade County Public Schools when he stated that ``. . . I firmly and passionately believe that all our kids have what it takes to succeed. The challenge is for us to reach this generation by motivating them instead of frustrating them. Children often turned off school by simple things because they are sensitive beings that we do not always respond to.'' Dr. Robert Ingram truly exemplifies a unique and responsive leadership whose courageous vision and wisdom appeals to our noble character as a caring Nation. At the risk of being presumptuous, I honor him and I want to extend to him the utmost gratitude of the Miami-Dade County community that he and I are privileged to serve. ____________________