[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 41 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1582-S1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 427--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF SOCIAL WORK 
  MONTH DURING MARCH 2018 AND WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY ON MARCH 20, 2018

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

                              S. Res. 427

       Whereas the profession of social work is--
       (1) dedicated to enhancing the well-being of others and 
     meeting the basic needs of all people, especially the most 
     vulnerable people in society; and
       (2) expected to grow faster than average relative to all 
     professions over the next 6 years, with more than 649,000 
     individuals expected to be employed as social workers by 
     2024;
       Whereas social workers embody the theme of Social Work 
     Month in 2018, which is ``Social workers: Leaders. Advocates. 
     Champions.'';
       Whereas social workers are--
       (1) employed throughout society, including in government, 
     schools, universities, social service agencies, the military, 
     and health care and mental health organizations;
       (2) the largest group of providers of mental health 
     services in the United States; and
       (3) present in times of crisis, helping--
          (A) individuals overcome issues such as the death of a 
     loved one and grief; and
          (B) individuals and communities recover from natural 
     disasters, including floods and hurricanes;
       Whereas the Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the 
     largest employers of social workers who hold advanced 
     degrees;
       Whereas, for decades, social workers have pushed to ensure 
     rights for all people, including women, African Americans, 
     Latinos, individuals who are disabled, individuals who are 
     LGBTQ, and various ethnic, cultural, and religious groups;
       Whereas the profession of social work has helped bring 
     about some of the most profound, positive changes in society 
     over the past century, including improvements with respect 
     to--
       (1) voting rights;
       (2) workplace safety;
       (3) the minimum wage; and
       (4) social safety net programs that help prevent poverty 
     and hunger; and
       Whereas social workers continue to engage and bring 
     together individuals, communities, agencies, and units of 
     government in order to help society address some of the most 
     pressing current issues, including--
       (1) immigration reform;
       (2) ensuring equal rights for all people;
       (3) providing affordable and good health care and mental 
     health care for all individuals; and
       (4) protecting the environment: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Social Work Month 
     during March 2018 and World Social Work Day on March 20, 
     2018;
       (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and 
     groups that promote the importance of social work and observe 
     Social Work Month and World Social Work Day;
       (3) encourages individuals to engage in appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities to promote further awareness of the 
     life-changing role that social workers play; and
       (4) with gratitude, recognizes the contributions of the 
     millions of caring individuals who have chosen to serve their 
     communities through social work.

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