[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 22 (Monday, February 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING 2018 EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING AWARD RECIPIENT MAMIE LANFORD 
                               SINGLETON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2018

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to honor Mamie Lanford 
Singleton, my nominee for the 2018 Excellence in Mentoring Award. On 
January 24th, 2018, Ms. Singleton received this distinguished honor 
from the National Mentoring Partnership in a ceremony at the Library of 
Congress.
  Ms. Singleton is a one-of-a-kind motivator and innovator. A retired 
Sergeant of the Saint Paul Police Department and founder and executive 
director of the Youth Initiative Mentoring Academies, she was one of 
the first African American women to rise through the ranks of Minnesota 
law enforcement. There she spent twenty years working to improve police 
community relations in Saint Paul.
  Ms. Singleton brought this experience to Youth Initiative Mentoring 
Academies, which pairs police officers and community mentors with youth 
in tutoring and aviation flight training. Through this work, she has 
introduced countless young people to aviation and other career fields 
they may have not otherwise encountered.
  Between her work at Youth Initiative Mentoring Academies, her 
personal investment in mentoring programs, and her many volunteer and 
board commitments, she continues to be a tireless ambassador for people 
of color and to influence a future generation of pilots.
  Through mentorships, young people can navigate through life's 
challenges--be they personal, academic or professional--to reach their 
full potential. Caring mentors can make all the difference in the life 
of someone who is at risk of falling off-track.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Mamie Lanford Singleton on 
this well-deserved recognition for her inspiring work on behalf of 
young people.

                          ____________________