[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers 
Association (MPPOA), the largest association representing Minnesota's 
rank-and-file police officers, recently met for its annual conference 
in Alexandria, Minnesota.
  During that conference, MPPOA recognized several outstanding police 
officers, including Sergeant Mark Ficcadenti of the St. Paul Police 
Department who was named Police Officer of the Year. In addition, 
Officer Mark Ross of the St. Paul Police Department received an 
Honorable Mention Award.
  Both Sergeant Ficcadenti and Officer Ross are constituents of mine 
and both serve with brave women and men in the St. Paul Police 
Department.
  Sergeant Ficcadenti received this distinguished honor because of his 
steadfast efforts in forging a relationship between police and the 
local community. During his more than 30 years of service with the St. 
Paul Police Department, Sergeant Ficcadenti has helped organized 
community events that provide an opportunity for people to meet and 
socialize with local police officers. Some of these events include the 
``Safe and Sound'' program and a Ramadan celebration with the local 
Somali community. Last year, Sergeant Ficcadenti was responsible for 
organizing the First Annual East African Junior Police Academy in 2014, 
which involved East African women and men between the ages of 14 and 22 
who were interested in pursuing law enforcement careers.
  Officer Ross is a former school resource officer who subsequently 
became a St. Paul patrol officer. Last year, Officer Ross noticed a 
young female high school student who was frequently absent from school. 
After some investigation, Officer Ross discovered that the student's 
father had been abusing and neglecting her for years. Today, the young 
woman has graduated from high school and plans on attending college in 
the fall. Her father is currently serving a 25 year prison sentence.
  I join MPPOA and all of my fellow Minnesotans in applauding these two 
distinguished public servants. I would like to take this opportunity to 
thank not only these two outstanding police officers, but all of 
MPPOA's brave women and men who keep our communities safe.

                          ____________________