[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         SALUTE TO BETTY SUZUKI

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Betty Suzuki, who is 
retiring from 30 years of successful public service to the county of 
Sacramento.
  Ms. Suzuki began her career as a social worker in 1955, serving the 
counties of San Joaquin, Los Angeles, and Alameda. In 1963, she became 
a social worker for the County of Sacramento, whereupon she began her 
steady rise within the system.
  In 1969, she was appointed social services supervisor I while 
pursuing her masters degree, and then in 1971, she was again promoted 
to the position of staff assistant to deputy director of services. The 
next year she was promoted to social service supervisor II where she 
served until her appointment in 1984 to welfare bureau chief of 
children's protective services, Department of Health and Human 
Services.
  As a bureau chief and throughout her career, she has diligently 
fought for the rights and protection of the children of Sacramento 
County. Upon her appointment in 1984, Betty was assigned the task of 
bringing the CPS bureau into State compliance in 11 of 13 areas. She 
accomplished this task in under 6 months and the bureau has not been 
out of compliance since that time.
  Counted among her many professional accomplishments include the 
passing of legsialtion for the State of California's Baby Doe laws. She 
also worked with the Department of Social Services to create 
legislation that resulted in the generation of the Options for Recovery 
Program in Sacramento County, as well as the Children's Health and 
Disability Prevention Program which has become a statewide system.
  Ms. Suzuki has served on the Juvenile Institutions and Programs 
Committee, under the Criminal Justice Cabinet to deal with overcrowding 
in juvenile hall; and is also involved in the Annie E. Casey Foundation 
grant, providing essential services to minors. She served on the 
Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission from 1982-84, and 
was the vice chair of the commission in 1984.
  Betty has been the recipient of Sacramento's Outstanding Women in 
Youth Services award by the Friends of Mayor Ann Rudin in June 1993, 
and the Outstanding Contribution on Behalf of Children award by the 
Child Abuse Prevention Council in January 1989. Ms. Suzuki currently 
serves as a director of the General Board of Global Ministries for whom 
she represents northern California and Nevada. Her participation has 
included multiple projects affecting women, children, and youth.
  Apart from her plans to travel and improve her golf game, Ms. Suzuki 
intends to remain active in her dedication to our community's 
challenges through service to commissions, consulting work, and 
lecturing.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize Betty 
Suzuki for her commitment to the citizens of Sacramento. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating her and wishing her continued 
success and happiness in all of her future endeavors.

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