[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WEEK

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to publicly recognize School Social Work Week, which is taking 
place March 2-8, 2008. This important week honors school social 
workers, who play a vital role in the development of our young 
students.
  My wife Barbara was a school social worker for more than 18 years, so 
I understand the critical importance of the services they provide to 
children, families, and schools. Not only do school social workers 
provide family and student counseling, crisis intervention, family 
advocacy, truancy prevention, assistance with basic needs, and 
community referrals for long-term needs, but they also assist already 
overwhelmed and underfunded schools in finding ways to assist their 
``at risk'' students. The presence of school social workers has helped 
increase attendance rates, academic performance, appropriate behavior, 
and parental involvement.
  I believe the best way we can honor school social workers is by 
providing them with the resources they need to accomplish their jobs 
and serve our students. Children often must seek help at school for 
problems they are experiencing personally, as well as at home. Experts 
note that early identification and intervention can be beneficial in 
helping distressed young people cope with and handle the problems in 
their lives. Without school social workers and the wonderful services 
they provide, far too many children's needs would remain unaddressed.
  For these reasons and countless others, proudly I stand today and 
applaud the wonderful work of these dedicated individuals. I am pleased 
that their tireless efforts are being publicly celebrated. It is with 
great honor that I share their impressive commitment to helping and 
educating our youth with my colleagues.

                          ____________________