Mr. Speaker, February is Black History Month. It is a time for all Canadians to experience a part of their history and explore role models that they might not have recognized before.
Molly Killingbeck is an athlete, a coach, a leader and just one of many shining examples of female black Canadian role models.
Killingbeck began her love of sports at a young age with her love of running. Through dedication and hard work, she trained to become one of Canada's top female athletes in track and field. Her love of sport propelled her to many heights, from coaching the gold medal winning men's relay team in 1996 to her current position as an athlete services manager with the National Sport Centre of Ontario.
Following her experiences, she was inspired to campaign for a tighter anti-drug program.
Dedication and a healthy dose of fun keep Killingbeck strongly connected to the world of sport. As a coach, Killingbeck works to instill qualities in athletes that they can use on and off the track. For her, it is important to see all athletes as people first before viewing them as performers.
I ask all members to please join me in saluting Molly Killingbeck and all black Canadians who are role models for Canadian youth.