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[Page S1776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Tribute to Sam Mamet
Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize a great citizen
of the State of Colorado and a dear friend of mine, Sam Mamet. Sam is
retiring at the end of March after 40 years of working with the
Colorado Municipal League. CML is an organization that is dedicated to
representing the best interests of cities and towns throughout the
State of Colorado.
In 1979, shortly after receiving a master's in public administration
from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Sam began his tenure at
CML. For 26 years, he worked diligently to make sure that local
communities had the proper tools to better serve themselves.
In 2005 he was appointed executive director of the organization. From
this unique position, Sam was at the forefront of developing the
organization's policies and executing vital programs with the
overarching purpose of helping those who oversee communities become
more effective leaders. It is clear to the people of Colorado that Sam
has excelled in this position from day one.
It is unlikely you will find someone in Colorado government or
politics who doesn't know Sam or hasn't worked with Sam, and there is
no shortage of recognition for the incredible work he has done. If you
need proof, you can look through the abundance of awards he has
received, including a lifetime achievement award from the Colorado City
& County Management Association earlier this year. It is also not
surprising that Sam has his own day, Sam Mamet Day, on February 4,
which was dedicated by the city of Greenwood Village as a thank-you for
his years of sincere dedication to them. These are just a few of the
many examples of appreciation that showcase the passion and zeal Sam
has for the cities and communities across our great State.
I can't stress enough how Colorado communities have benefited and how
the State of Colorado has benefited from the work of Sam Mamet. His
years of persistence and dedication in his work have had a tremendous
and monumental impact. His work transcends beyond partisanship, and I
think that is the most important thing to talk about. When you see Sam
Mamet, you don't think of left or right or red or blue. You see
nonpartisanship in the work he does.
He cautions leaders to avoid demeaning an issue or individual on the
other side, something so important in today's political environment,
and to focus more on cultivating policies that will simply benefit each
and every community based on the specific needs and requirements of the
people. We need more leaders like Sam.
Sam has long believed public service is the highest calling. He
recognizes the gravity the position holds and why it is so important
that public servants are given the tools necessary to better the
streets and neighborhoods and communities they belong to. This is what
each and every citizen expects of their leaders and what he has
dedicated his life to accomplish.
``Empowered Cities and Towns, United for a Strong Colorado,'' is
CML's vision statement, and Sam is the embodiment of these words. Each
and every day he worked to give the cities and towns around him the
tools and knowledge to empower them, and for 40 years he helped to
unite a stronger Colorado. While CML and the local municipalities they
serve will be losing an exceptional, talented, and impassioned civil
servant, I have every confidence Sam will continue to better the lives
of the people of Colorado in his work going forward.
On a personal note, there are many times when Sam and I were on the
same side of an issue and were able to work together and accomplish
great things. There were also times when Sam and I were on opposite
sides of an issue, and some of my most glorious defeats were at the
hands of Sam Mamet. As legislation went down in flames of glory, thanks
to work he was able to lead, I never took it personally because Sam
Mamet never took it personally. I remember meeting Sam through my
father and his work on the city council years ago. When a leader like
Sam steps down, he will be missed. He has big shoes to fill, but I know
Kevin Bommer, the next executive director, will do an outstanding job.
I know we all wish for Sam to stay involved in his next endeavors
that will continue to benefit our great people of Colorado. Thank you.
With that, I yield the floor.
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