[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 34 (Thursday, March 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      2002 GUAM SOCIAL WORK MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 20, 2002

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, on the island of Guam, the month of March 
is designated as ``Social Work Month.'' For over twenty-two years, the 
Guam Association of Social Workers (GASW) has sponsored training 
conferences for human service workers of the region. This year's theme, 
``Collaboration: Meeting our Social Challenges through Partnerships,'' 
gives participants the opportunity to acquire and share knowledge and 
skills in collaborative efforts. It has been recognized that current 
social problems could be overcome only through partnerships and 
cooperation between the government, private nonprofit organizations, 
community groups and the business community.
  The highlight of ``Social Work Month'' is an awards dinner where 
awards for Community Service and the Social Worker of the Year was 
presented. This year's Community Service Award was presented to the 
Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GHURA). The University of 
Guam's Dr. Gerhard J. Schwab was chosen to receive the prestigious 
Social Worker of the Year Award.
  The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority administers grants and 
programs involving community planning and development, housing 
services, fair housing and equal opportunity. This agency has been 
instrumental in the revitalization of neighborhoods, the management and 
distribution of affordable housing, the expansion of economic 
opportunities, and the improvement of community facilities and services 
as well as emergency homeless shelters. Their programs and projects 
assist homeless people, the youth, the elderly as well as low and 
moderate income families. GHURA's efforts definitely complements this 
year's theme.
  Dr. Schwab initially entered the field of social work in his native 
Austria working under the auspices of Caritas, an international 
Catholic Social services organization. His involvement with this group 
brought him, at one time, to the highlands of Papua, New Guinea where 
he worked with gang leaders and helped to create diversion programs for 
children confined in adult prisons. He commenced work on Guam in 1987, 
under the auspices of the Catholic Church as the Director of Youth 
Ministry. In 1998, the University of Michigan conferred upon him a 
joint Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology. His doctoral dissertation 
was entitled, ``Ethnicities and Masculinities in the Making: A 
Challenge for Social Work in Guam.'' For the past three years, Dr. 
Schwab has chaired the Division of Social Work within the University of 
Guam's College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Through the years, he 
has made numerous contributions to the university, the social work 
community and the island of Guam.
  Also deserving recognition are ``Project Beacon'' of the Pacific 
Daily News, a project spearheaded by Guam's daily newspaper working 
towards addressing the local problem of teen suicide, and ``Stand,'' a 
local welfare advocacy group--which were nominated this year for the 
Community Service Award. Jesse Sablan Catahay, Lisa Natividad, Yvonne 
Paulino and Patricia Stracener also deserve commendation for their 
contributions which earned them nominations for the Social Worker of 
the Year Awards.
  It is worthy to note that this year marks the end of an era which 
signals a new beginning. The GASW has decided to dissolve and transfer 
its assets to the Guam Chapter of the National Association of Social 
Workers (NASW). Having been instrumental in bringing the NASW to Guam, 
the activities and ideals promoted by GASW over the years will continue 
to be fostered and preserved. This merger allows the Guam community 
access to the resources of the national association as well a voice in 
the formulation of NASW approaches to national social policies. I am 
sure that the people of Guam will reap the benefits in the years to 
come.
  Once again, I congratulate this year's awardees, nominees, the Guam 
Association of Social Workers (GASW), and the Guam Chapter of the 
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The people of Guam 
appreciate their good work.

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