[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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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