[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E533]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E533]]



                           SOCIAL WORK MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, Guam has designated the month of March 
2001 as ``Social Work Month''--the focus revolving around the 23rd 
Anniversary of the Guam Association of Social Workers (GASW), their 
20th annual training conference and the formal establishment of the 
Guam Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
  For the past 23 years GASW has endeavored to establish a network that 
would provide professional support for social workers in the region. 
Already in its 20th year, the annual GASW training conference has 
served to promote and facilitate this objective. This year, conferees 
from the many islands of Micronesia gathered together on Guam to 
discuss, learn, and share the latest issues, techniques, and 
information pertaining to the rapidly changing and demanding field of 
Social Work.
  This year's theme, ``Trends in Health, Technology and Human 
Services,'' focused upon key issues such as the formation of 
communities through the processes of inclusion and exclusion, the 
complex situations of the people involved, and the need for increased 
skill, thorough analysis, creative visions, and solutions in order for 
social workers to become better advocates for the community. These 
issues were addressed and their objectives were met.
  This year also marks the establishment of the Guam Chapter of the 
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). After seven years of 
negotiations and plenty of hard work, the organization's president 
Gerard Schwab recently announced that the board of directors had 
approved their by laws and articles of incorporation. The Chapter is 
now registered with the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation. With 
creation of the Guam Chapter, members within the region stand to 
benefit from access to the resources of the national association. In 
addition, Guam is now a voting member of the NASW in national social 
policy matters. I am sure that this organization will bring together 
colleagues in the field of Social Work enabling them to pool their 
resources together and work collectively towards mutual benefits.
  ``Social Work Month'' culminated with an awards dinner where awards 
for Community Service and the Social Worker of the Year were presented. 
This year's Community Service Award was presented to the Community 
Social Development Unit (CSDU) of the Department of Youth Affairs 
(DYA). Dr. Ulla-Katfina Craig was named Social Worker of the Year.
  First established in 1996, CSDU was brought about by the Department 
of Youth Affairs to provide community-based outreach programs to 
troubled youth and their families. From one satellite office, CSDU has 
now expanded to three district offices where approximately 30 programs 
are administered by 40 professional staff members. Staff members work 
weekends and holidays providing services to more than 400 clients per 
week.
  Dr. Craig is the director of the Micronesian Health and Aging Studies 
at the University of Guam. Originally, an engineer, she decided to 
shift her area of concentration in order to closely work with people 
rather than spend her time inanimate objects. She has published 
numerous articles and is considered an authority on aging and 
neurological and behavioral disorders. Having worked closely with Dr. 
Craig, I can vouch for the fact that she is a great communicator, 
advocate and nurturer. She has a personable, approachable and loving 
way that crosses over language, culture and social barriers.
  Also deserving of note are the Guam Alliance for Mental Health 
Incorporated (GAMHI), the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, and 
PacifiCare Asia Pacific, this year's nominees for the Community Service 
Award. Louise Toves, Grace R. Taitano, and Monica Tinkham, on the other 
hand, were the nominees for Social Worker of the Year. They are all 
winners in my book.
  As we go about with our daily lives, we must take a moment to reflect 
upon the services provided by the people dedicated to the field of 
Social Work. With the recent unfortunate incidents plaguing the nation, 
especially, the island of Guam, we depend upon these people to provide 
the necessary guidance and direction that will enable us to heal and, 
hopefully, prevent future problems. I congratulate this year's 
awardees, the Guam Association of Social Workers (GASW), and the Guam 
Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). I urge 
them to keep up the good work and I wish them all the best in the years 
to come.

                          ____________________