[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 21, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1895-S1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 91--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 
PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH IN MARCH 2017 AND WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 
                           ON MARCH 21, 2017

  Ms. STABENOW submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                               S. Res. 91

       Whereas the primary mission of the social work profession 
     is to enhance the well-being and help meet the basic needs of 
     all individuals, especially the most vulnerable individuals 
     in society;
       Whereas social work pioneers have helped--
       (1) lead the struggle for social justice in the United 
     States; and
       (2) pave the way for positive social change for millions of 
     people of the United States each day;
       Whereas social workers work in all areas of United States 
     society to improve happiness, health, and prosperity, 
     including in government, schools, institutions of higher 
     education, social service agencies, communities, the 
     military, and mental health and health care facilities;
       Whereas social workers--
       (1) are key employees at the Federal, State, and local 
     levels of government; and
       (2) work to expand policies and practices that promote 
     equity and social justice for all individuals;
       Whereas, as of March 2017, there are almost 650,000 social 
     workers in the United States, and social work is 1 of the 
     fastest-growing careers in the United States;
       Whereas social workers help individuals, organizations, 
     communities, and the larger society tackle and solve the 
     issues that confront the individuals, communities, and larger 
     society;
       Whereas each day social workers embody the themes of--
       (A) National Professional Social Work Month in March 2017, 
     which is ``Social Workers Stand Up!''; and
       (B) World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017, which is 
     ``Promoting Community and Environmental Stability'';
       Whereas social workers have pushed for decades to ensure 
     equal rights for all individuals, including women, African 
     Americans,

[[Page S1896]]

     Latinos, individuals who are disabled, individuals who are 
     LGBTQ, and individuals of various ethnic, cultural, and 
     religious groups;
       Whereas social workers have worked to reduce racial discord 
     by advocating for--
       (1) legislation, including--
       (A) the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);
       (B) each reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 
     (42 U.S.C. 1971 note; Public Law 89-110);
       (C) the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.);
       (D) the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13925 
     et seq.); and
       (E) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public 
     Law 111-148; 124 Stat. 119); and
       (2) policies relating to--
       (A) benefits under the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 
     et seq.);
       (B) unemployment insurance; and
       (C) workplace safety;
       Whereas social workers are the largest group of mental 
     health care providers in the United States, and social 
     workers work each day to help individuals overcome substance 
     use disorders and mental illnesses, such as depression and 
     anxiety;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs employs more 
     than 12,000 professional social workers, and social workers 
     help to bolster the security of the United States by 
     providing support to active duty military personnel, 
     veterans, and the families of active duty military personnel 
     and veterans;
       Whereas thousands of child, family, and school social 
     workers across the United States provide assistance to 
     protect children and improve the social and psychological 
     functioning of children and their families;
       Whereas social workers help children find loving homes and 
     create new families through adoption;
       Whereas social workers in schools work with families and 
     schools to foster future generations by ensuring that each 
     student reaches the full academic and personal potential of 
     the student;
       Whereas social workers work with older adults and the 
     families of older adults--
       (1) to improve quality of life and the ability to live 
     independently as long as possible; and
       (2) to have access to quality health care and mental health 
     care; and
       Whereas social workers help the United States and other 
     nations overcome earthquakes, floods, wars, and other 
     disasters by helping survivors receive services, including 
     food, shelter, health care, and mental health care to address 
     stress and anxiety: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of --
       (A) National Professional Social Work Month in March 2017; 
     and
       (B) World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017;
       (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of each individual 
     and group that promotes the importance of social work and 
     observes National Professional Social Work Month and World 
     Social Work Day;
       (3) encourages the people of the United States to engage in 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities to promote further 
     awareness of the life-changing role that social workers play; 
     and
       (4) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the 
     millions of caring individuals that have chosen to serve the 
     community through social work.

                          ____________________