[Page S2186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO KATHARINE WILLIAMS

<bullet> Mr. RUBIO. Madam President, today I recognize Katharine 
Williams, the Okeechobee County Teacher of the Year from the Okeechobee 
School Board in Okeechobee, FLa.
  Katharine believes God has led her to the position she is in today, 
where she is able to help students with serious emotional or mental 
distresses. She teaches them they are lovable, can love others, and can 
learn how to have successful emotional regulation.
  Helping students has inspired her every day, and it represents 
PRIDE--perseverance, respect, integrity, dependability, ethics--to her. 
This teaches students to be active listeners, how to have emotional 
regulation, and also serves as the foundation of the school district's 
work for its students.
  Katharine has a master's degree in counseling psychology and is a 
licensed mental health counselor. She has worked with the Okeechobee 
County School District for 16 years and as a crisis counselor for 13 
years. She is involved in the development and management of district 
protocol for both threat assessment and safety planning for students. 
Katharine is also one of six instructors for youth mental health first 
aid.
  I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to Katharine for her 
dedication in helping her students succeed in life. I look forward to 
learning of her continued success in the coming years.<bullet>

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