[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BECKY FAST HONORED AS ``SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR'' BY KANSAS CHAPTER 
             OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, since I took office in January, 
1999, Becky Fast has worked as my constituent services director. My 
office has prided itself on a high level of constituent services, and 
for that Becky deserves much of the credit. I am proud and happy to 
announce that last Thursday, Becky was honored as ``Social Worker of 
the Year'' by the Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social 
Workers. Vicki Arnett, LSCSW and the Chair of the Chapter LINC 
committee presented the award at the 62nd MoKan Clinical Institute in 
Overland Park (Ritz Charles) on Thursday, October 8, 2009. The Kansas 
Chapter, National Association of Social Workers represents the practice 
and profession of social work in Kansas. The event was a two day 
intensive training on familial sexual abuse with Michael Boniello, 
LSCSW and difficult ethical problems in social work with Frederic 
Reamer, Ph.D., of Rhode Island.
  Although I was in Washington for scheduled votes, I was pleased to 
learn that Becky's father drove from Minnesota to Kansas to see her 
receive the award. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate 
Becky, and am honored to enter into the Congressional Record the 
remarks made by Vicki Arnett when she introduced Becky as the recipient 
of the 2009 Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Work 
``Social Worker of the Year'':

       Becky Fast originally was trained as a teacher. Through 
     that work she found that many students and their families 
     needed individual assistance through difficult circumstances. 
     Becky went back to school and became a social worker. Since 
     then, she has been working in different capacities to help 
     improve services to many individuals. Her early work has 
     included authoring several chapters in a book on serving the 
     aged population as well as service manuals to implement such 
     programs. She taught social policy for many years and helped 
     bring attention to the importance of everyday advocacy in the 
     political arena.
       Becky practices Political Social Work. She has been the 
     Director of Constituent Services for Congressman Dennis Moore 
     since his victory in 1998. She is one of just a few social 
     workers across the country to hold such a position. She has 
     built the constituents program with a focus on applying 
     social work values and skills to assisting people calling for 
     help with federal programs. Her program serves as a model for 
     other congressional offices and Becky willingly shares her 
     knowledge. Over the years, Becky has mentored many social 
     work interns and taught them the importance of listening to 
     caller concerns and responding in a helpful way. She is 
     constantly making connections to individuals and the 
     community by establishing access to the Congressman and 
     helping to suggest ways to solve problems.
       Becky has taken advantage of her ability to connect to 
     people to promote social workers and the profession. For 
     example, she had several conversations with then Governor 
     Sebelius and they spoke about social work and delivering care 
     to people. She was able to mention social work to President 
     Clinton, and she facilitated a meeting with the Attorney 
     General on social work safety. Many of the current Kansas 
     State legislators keep social work on their mind because of 
     Becky talking to them.
       Most recently, after physical threats to the congressional 
     office, and the town hall meetings had to be canceled for 
     safety reasons, she was still preparing materials and was 
     generous in giving time and attention to people expressing 
     anger and frustration. She does not lose her cool in such 
     situations. Becky was instrumental in securing federal 
     funding to support the Teri Mathis Zenner Safety First 
     conference in October. Becky was one of the original 
     presenters for Dr. Nancy Humphreys Campaign School in 
     Connecticut.
       Becky has served as the Kansas Chapter, PACE Chair for 
     several election cycles, served as the Treasurer on the 
     Chapter Board of Directors and now serves as the Region Ten 
     Representative on the National Board of Directors of NASW. 
     She serves on a variety of committees and work groups and in 
     the Kansas City area. Becky is well known across Kansas and 
     everyone knows she is a social worker because she proudly 
     states, ``I am a social worker'' as she does her work. 
     Congratulations Becky for a well-earned and well-deserved 
     recognition of the excellence you bring to the social work 
     profession.

                          ____________________