[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1093 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1093

 Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social 
                               Work Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 19, 2024

 Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, 
 Mr. Schiff, Mr. Davis of Illinois, and Ms. Garcia of Texas) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                      Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social 
                               Work Day.

Whereas the Nation's 700,000 social workers are an essential workforce that 
        promotes the health and well-being of communities across the United 
        States every day;
Whereas social workers are leaders in addressing the influence of social 
        determinants of health such as housing, employment, education, and 
        transportation on individual and communal health and well-being;
Whereas social workers pursue social justice as part of their code of ethics and 
        have been a leading voice in social change movements for over a century, 
        combating racism and discrimination in all its forms, xenophobia, 
        homophobia, transphobia, gender discrimination, religious intolerance, 
        and the stigma of mental illness, as well as promoting voting rights, a 
        livable wage, workplace safety, social safety net programs that help 
        alleviate poverty, hunger, and homelessness, and the rights of people 
        with disabilities;
Whereas social workers support individuals and communities in a wide range of 
        settings including hospitals, health and behavioral health care 
        facilities, nursing homes, community centers, veterans affairs clinics, 
        schools, child welfare agencies, law enforcement agencies, disaster 
        relief agencies, correctional institutions, and private practice 
        settings;
Whereas social workers work in all levels of government to advance the promise 
        of the United States and the health and well-being of people in the 
        United States;
Whereas social workers are one of the largest providers of mental health, 
        behavioral health, and social care services in the United States, 
        working daily to help thousands of people overcome mental illnesses such 
        as depression and anxiety, and meet basic needs;
Whereas social workers are on the frontlines of the Nation's addiction crisis, 
        helping people get the treatment they need and prevail over substance 
        use disorders;
Whereas social workers play a vital role in--

    (1) helping United States veterans and their families access benefits, 
secure housing, and cope with stress and post-traumatic stress disorder;

    (2) promoting the health, well-being, and dignity of older adults and 
their ability to live safely and securely in their own homes and 
communities;

    (3) supporting the millions of family caregivers across the country who 
are caring for loved ones in need of assistance;

    (4) helping individuals, families, and communities rebuild their lives 
and neighborhoods after climate-related natural disasters such as fires, 
floods, and hurricanes; and

    (5) promoting infant and maternal health, and keeping children and 
families safe from interpersonal violence;

Whereas social workers are a vital source of assistance, comfort, and support 
        for individuals and families coping with illness, dying, death, and 
        grief;
Whereas social workers support students and collaborate with parents, teachers, 
        school boards, and community agencies to promote student success in 
        schools across the country;
Whereas social workers are a critical source of information, services, and 
        support in the Nation's rural communities;
Whereas social workers served on the frontlines of the COVID-19 public health 
        emergency, delivering behavioral health services and helping 
        individuals, families, and communities cope with the devastating loss of 
        life, jobs, and safety during the pandemic;
Whereas the 2024 Social Work Month theme, ``Empowering Social Workers: Inspiring 
        Action, Leading Change'' embodies how social workers are invaluable to 
        the ever-changing dynamics of the United States;
Whereas social workers enter the profession because they have a strong desire to 
        help empower individuals, families, communities, and the Nation to 
        overcome issues that prevent them from reaching their full potential;
Whereas social workers are essential to community well-being because social 
        workers are trained to help people address personal and systemic 
        barriers to optimal living, and are employed to effect positive change 
        in individuals, families, groups, and entire communities;
Whereas social workers advocate for equal rights for all;
Whereas the social work profession is one of the fastest growing professions in 
        the United States, but still not large enough to meet the demand in the 
        face of the mental health crisis;
Whereas there is a need to make a meaningful investment in recruitment into the 
        social work profession and retention of professional social work; and
Whereas social workers are ethically bound to work throughout society to meet 
        people where they are and help empower people and society to reach the 
        goals they wish to attain: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and 
        World Social Work Day;
            (2) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the 
        millions of social workers who have advanced individual, 
        family, community, and the Nation's health and well-being since 
        the dawning of the social work profession;
            (3) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and 
        groups who promote the importance of social work and observe 
        Social Work Month and World Social Work Day; and
            (4) encourages individuals to engage in appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities to promote further awareness of the 
        integral role that social workers play in making a more perfect 
        union.
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