[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 18 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF 2021 MICHIGAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR 0F THE YEAR ELIZABETH 
                                KANAGAWA

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 28, 2022

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Elizabeth 
``Betsy'' Kanagawa of Brownstown Charter Township, Michigan, on being 
named the 2021 Michigan School Counselor of the Year by the Michigan 
School Counselor Association. Her significant contributions to our 
community are worthy of commendation.
  Mrs. Kanagawa is a two-time graduate of Spring Arbor University, 
where she studied counseling, English, psychology, and secondary 
education. She has been a school counselor for over nine years and 
works at Patrick Henry Middle School in the Woodhaven-Brownstown School 
District.
  Known for her caring personality and innovative programs, Mrs. 
Kanagawa has changed her school for the better. When she noticed that 
students of color were getting lower PSAT scores and were at risk of 
being referred to the office at a high rate, she got to the root of the 
problem by taking the time to have important, sometimes difficult 
conversations with teachers and administrators and provided the 
interventions needed to support these students rather than discipline 
them. Mrs. Kanagawa has pioneered a program called ``Minute Meetings'' 
where she meets with every single student to talk about their mental 
health and determine how to better serve them.
  With her extensive work in community intervention and mental health, 
Mrs. Kanagawa led the creation of the Mental Health Advisory Board 
which has brought together school officials and community health 
leaders to eliminate barriers that exist in connecting students to 
mental health services. She serves as a member of American School 
Counselor Association and the Michigan School Counselor Association, 
where she is on the governing board serving as the middle school level 
representative. She resides in Brownstown with her husband, Niko.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. 
Elizabeth ``Betsy'' Kanagawa. I join with Mrs. Kanagawa's students and 
colleagues in thanking her for her stellar service to Patrick Henry 
Middle School and to our entire community. She has consistently gone 
above and beyond on behalf of her students and has tirelessly dedicated 
herself to making our schools a better place for all. We are very lucky 
to have her in our district and wish her the very best in the years to 
come.

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