[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 115--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF SOCIAL WORK 
           MONTH AND WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY ON MARCH 16, 2021

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

                              S. Res. 115

       Whereas, for decades, social workers have dedicated their 
     work to improving human well-being and enhancing the basic 
     needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable;
       Whereas the theme for Social Work Month 2021, ``Social 
     Workers Are Essential'', embodies the heroic contributions 
     social workers have made to the United States, including the 
     work social workers have done to heal the United States 
     during the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest, economic 
     uncertainty, and political divisiveness;
       Whereas social workers have always been present to help in 
     times of crisis, including by--
       (1) helping people overcome issues such as death and grief; 
     and
       (2) helping people and communities recover from natural 
     disasters, including fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes;
       Whereas social workers have helped the United States live 
     up to its value of equality by successfully advocating for 
     equal rights for all people, no matter their race, sexual 
     identity, gender, gender expression, culture, or religion;
       Whereas the social work profession is one of the fastest 
     growing professions in the United States, with nearly 800,000 
     people expected to be employed as social workers by 2028;
       Whereas social workers work in all parts of society to 
     empower people to live to their fullest potential;
       Whereas school social workers have worked with families and 
     schools throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure students 
     reach their full academic and personal potential;
       Whereas social workers play a crucial role in the United 
     States health care system and have played a key role in the 
     response of the United States to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
     including by helping individuals, families, and communities 
     cope with the epidemic;
       Whereas, for generations, social workers have advocated for 
     positive changes that have made the United States a better 
     place to live, including by--
       (1) urging policymakers to adopt the minimum wage;
       (2) improving workplace safety; and
       (3) enacting social safety net programs that help 
     ameliorate hunger, homelessness, and poverty;
       Whereas social workers, one of the largest groups of mental 
     health care providers in the United States, work daily to 
     help people, whether in person or remotely, overcome 
     substance use disorders and mental illnesses, including 
     depression and anxiety; and
       Whereas social workers stand ready to assist the United 
     States in overcoming present and future challenges, including 
     by--
       (1) providing sufficient access to mental health and social 
     care services;
       (2) ensuring that all individuals in the United States can 
     meet their basic human needs; and
       (3) advancing racial equity and the dignity of all 
     individuals: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and 
     World Social Work Day on March 16, 2021;
       (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individuals and 
     groups who 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) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the 
     millions of caring individuals who have chosen to serve their 
     communities through social work.

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