[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF MARY KAY KOSA

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2003

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to Mary Kay 
Kosa, a community leader and dear friend. On Sunday, May 18, 2003 a 
plaque will be dedicated in Mrs. Kosa's memory for her service to the 
Monroe County Mental Health Board.
  Born in Monroe County in 1928, Mary Kay Kosa spent her life helping 
others. She served 22 years on the Monroe County Mental Health Board, 
from her appointment in 1980 until 2002, acting as Chairperson from 
1994 on. During her tenure Mrs. Kosa helped facilitate the growth of 
the program by endorsing cooperation with the Washtenaw County Health 
Organization. She also helped to turn the former county department into 
an authority, an accomplishment that aided the development of mental 
health services in the area.
  In addition to her service on the Mental Health Board, Mary Kay Kosa 
was renowned for lending a helping hand to anyone in the community. 
During her 25 years as a teacher in the Monroe public schools and 
another 25 years as an administrator, she touched the lives of 
thousands of children and teachers alike. Moreover, Mrs. Kosa aided in 
the advancement of minorities by participating in the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People and chairing the 
Monroe branch of the American Association of University Women.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in honoring the life of Mary Kay 
Kosa. She often said, ``if you live in a community, you owe that 
community and I have a commitment to Monroe.'' Mrs. Kosa and her 
husband of 50 years, Edward Kosa, lived by this philosophy in addition 
to encouraging others to do the same.

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