[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E459]]
                 A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S SOCIAL WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2001

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to America's 
social workers. March is National Social Work Month and I think it is 
fitting that we take time to thank these outstanding citizens for their 
honorable work.
  Since I was first elected to the House over four years ago, I have 
employed at least one social worker as a member of my district staff. I 
had worked with social workers before during my tenure as North 
Carolina's Superintendent of public schools, and I was impressed with 
their versatility and the positive impact of their work on people's 
lives. Together the social workers on my staff and I have assisted 
veterans and seniors, and helped new immigrants pursue the American 
Dream in our great country.
  About a month ago, I held a meeting with my youth advisory committee 
to talk about youth and school violence. We had a great meeting and we 
talked candidly about the issues that the young people of my district 
face on a daily basis. At one point during the meeting, we broke into 
small groups, which were led by faculty, administrators, and school 
social workers. I was particularly drawn to one of the small groups led 
by Kelly Lister, a school social worker from Zebulon. She did a 
marvelous job of interacting with the students and offered some 
practical and poignant thoughts for her group to consider.
  Unfortunately, there are not enough school social workers in our 
schools. For example, in Johnston County, North Carolina, there is only 
one school social worker for all 29 schools in the system. We need more 
school social workers, like Kelly to work with our students, to help 
them grow and mature. In many instances they are a link between home, 
school, and community. They help students increase academic 
performance, deal with crisis situations, learn how to resolve 
conflicts without resorting to violence, practice important problem-
solving and decision-making skills, and most importantly remain in 
school and graduate. School social workers are a critical component in 
a child's education and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their hard 
work and service.
  Social workers effect our lives in so many ways. Their work touches 
all of us as individuals and as whole communities. They are educated, 
highly trained, and committed professionals. They work in family 
service and community mental health agencies, schools, hospitals, 
nursing homes, and many other private and public agencies. They listen. 
They care. And most importantly, they help those in need.
  Mr. Speaker, social workers are an integral, irreplaceable part of 
our society. I urge all of my colleagues to take the time to honor all 
the social workers in their districts for all of their contributions 
and accomplishments during the remainder of National Social Work Month.

                          ____________________