[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1868-S1869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 567--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF SOCIAL WORK 
           MONTH AND WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY ON MARCH 15, 2022

  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. 567

       Whereas since its founding more than a century ago, the 
     social work profession has been dedicated to improving human 
     well-being and enhancing the basic needs of all people, 
     especially the most vulnerable among us;
       Whereas the theme of Social Work Month 2022, ``The Time is 
     Right for Social Work'', embodies how social workers have 
     been an essential workforce in responding to the COVID-19 
     pandemic, even as the Nation continues to grapple with 
     systemic racism, gender-based violence, homophobia, 
     transphobia, economic inequality, climate change, and other 
     challenges;
       Whereas social workers are a large, racially and 
     socioeconomically diverse mental and behavioral health 
     workforce in the United States, and social workers provide 
     culturally competent, evidence-based services in the 
     community in a broad range of settings, including healthcare, 
     schools, community clinics, private practice, child welfare 
     agencies, and correctional facilities;
       Whereas social workers continue to advocate for social 
     justice and equal rights for all, especially for vulnerable, 
     underserved, and marginalized people;
       Whereas social work is one of the fastest growing 
     professions in the United States, with more than 700,000 
     social workers today and a projected increase to 800,000 by 
     2028;
       Whereas social workers are leaders in creating and 
     implementing public policies that improve health and well-
     being, strengthen the social fabric, and ensure a more just 
     society.
       Whereas social workers serve in all levels of government, 
     including Congress, where there are 5 social workers 
     currently in office;

[[Page S1869]]

       Whereas social workers develop evidence-based interventions 
     that address a number of the most vexing problems facing 
     society, and social workers conduct cutting-edge research 
     that informs both policy and practice;
       Whereas there is a need--
       (1) to ensure accuracy of workforce data surrounding the 
     social work profession so that data projections adequately 
     reflect the depth and breadth of social work practice across 
     settings, as well as the needs of the clients and communities 
     served by the profession; and
       (2) to make meaningful investments in the social work 
     profession to address challenges associated with recruitment 
     and retention in recognition of the pressing need for such 
     professionals and the crucial services they provide; and
       Whereas social workers meet individuals no matter where 
     those individuals are in their life circumstances and empower 
     those individuals to fulfill their potential: 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 15, 2022;
       (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 social workers who have advanced individual, 
     family, and community well-being since the founding of the 
     social work profession more than a century ago.

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