[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 91 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 91

 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Professional Social Work 
    Month in March 2017 and World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 21, 2017

Ms. Stabenow submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Professional Social Work 
    Month in March 2017 and World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017.

Whereas the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance the 
        well-being and help meet the basic needs of all individuals, especially 
        the most vulnerable individuals in society;
Whereas social work pioneers have helped--

    (1) lead the struggle for social justice in the United States; and

    (2) pave the way for positive social change for millions of people of 
the United States each day;

Whereas social workers work in all areas of United States society to improve 
        happiness, health, and prosperity, including in government, schools, 
        institutions of higher education, social service agencies, communities, 
        the military, and mental health and health care facilities;
Whereas social workers--

    (1) are key employees at the Federal, State, and local levels of 
government; and

    (2) work to expand policies and practices that promote equity and 
social justice for all individuals;

Whereas, as of March 2017, there are almost 650,000 social workers in the United 
        States, and social work is one of the fastest-growing careers in the 
        United States;
Whereas social workers help individuals, organizations, communities, and the 
        larger society tackle and solve the issues that confront the 
        individuals, communities, and larger society;
Whereas each day social workers embody the themes of--

    (1) National Professional Social Work Month in March 2017, which is 
``Social Workers Stand Up!''; and

    (2) World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017, which is ``Promoting 
Community and Environmental Stability'';

Whereas social workers have pushed for decades to ensure equal rights for all 
        individuals, including women, African Americans, Latinos, individuals 
        who are disabled, individuals who are LGBTQ, and individuals of various 
        ethnic, cultural, and religious groups;
Whereas social workers have worked to reduce racial discord by advocating for--

    (1) legislation, including--

    G    (A) the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);

    G    (B) each reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 
U.S.C. 1971 note; Public Law 89-110);

    G    (C) the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.);

    G    (D) the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13925 et 
seq.); and

    G    (E) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 
111-148; 124 Stat. 119); and

    (2) policies relating to--

    G    (A) benefits under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et 
seq.);

    G    (B) unemployment insurance; and

    G    (C) workplace safety;

Whereas social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in 
        the United States, and social workers work each day to help individuals 
        overcome substance use disorders and mental illnesses, such as 
        depression and anxiety;
Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs employs more than 12,000 professional 
        social workers, and social workers help to bolster the security of the 
        United States by providing support to active duty military personnel, 
        veterans, and the families of active duty military personnel and 
        veterans;
Whereas thousands of child, family, and school social workers across the United 
        States provide assistance to protect children and improve the social and 
        psychological functioning of children and their families;
Whereas social workers help children find loving homes and create new families 
        through adoption;
Whereas social workers in schools work with families and schools to foster 
        future generations by ensuring that each student reaches the full 
        academic and personal potential of the student;
Whereas social workers work with older adults and the families of older adults--

    (1) to improve quality of life and the ability to live independently as 
long as possible; and

    (2) to have access to quality health care and mental health care; and

Whereas social workers help the United States and other nations overcome 
        earthquakes, floods, wars, and other disasters by helping survivors 
        receive services, including food, shelter, health care, and mental 
        health care to address stress and anxiety: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of--
                    (A) National Professional Social Work Month in 
                March 2017; and
                    (B) World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017;
            (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of each individual 
        and group that promotes the importance of social work and 
        observes National Professional Social Work Month and World 
        Social Work Day;
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to engage in 
        appropriate ceremonies and activities to promote further 
        awareness of the life-changing role that social workers play; 
        and
            (4) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the 
        millions of caring individuals that have chosen to serve the 
        community through social work.
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