[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2442-S2443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 592--SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF SOCIAL WORK 
           MONTH AND WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY ON MARCH 19, 2024

  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. 592

       Whereas the 700,000 social workers of the United States are 
     an essential workforce that promotes the health and well-
     being of the people of the United States in communities 
     across the country every day;
       Whereas social workers are leaders in addressing the 
     influence of social determinants of health, such as housing, 
     employment, education, and transportation, on individual and 
     communal health and well-being;
       Whereas social workers--
       (1) pursue social justice as part of their code of ethics 
     and have been a leading voice in social change movements for 
     over a century;
       (2) combat racism and discrimination in all its forms, 
     including xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, gender 
     discrimination, religious intolerance, and discrimination 
     against individuals with mental illness; and
       (3) promote voting rights, a livable wage, workplace 
     safety, social safety net programs that help alleviate 
     poverty, hunger, and

[[Page S2443]]

     homelessness, and the rights of individuals with 
     disabilities;
       Whereas social workers support individuals and communities 
     in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health and 
     behavioral health care facilities, nursing homes, community 
     centers, Veterans Affairs clinics, schools, child welfare 
     agencies, law enforcement agencies, disaster relief agencies, 
     correctional institutions, and private practice settings;
       Whereas social workers work in all levels of government to 
     advance the promise of the United States and the health and 
     well-being of the people of the United States;
       Whereas social workers are one of the largest providers of 
     mental health, behavioral health, and social care services in 
     the United States, working daily to help thousands of people 
     in the United States overcome mental illnesses, such as 
     depression and anxiety, and meet basic needs;
       Whereas social workers are on the frontlines of the 
     addiction crisis in the United States, helping individuals 
     get the treatment they need and prevail over substance use 
     disorders;
       Whereas social workers play a vital role in helping United 
     States veterans and their families access benefits, secure 
     housing, and cope with stress and post-traumatic stress 
     disorder;
       Whereas social workers play a vital role in promoting the 
     health, well-being, and dignity of older adults and their 
     ability to live safely and securely in their own homes and 
     communities;
       Whereas social workers play a vital role in supporting the 
     millions of family caregivers across the country who are 
     caring for loved ones in need of assistance;
       Whereas social workers are a vital source of assistance, 
     comfort, and support for individuals and families coping with 
     illness, death, and grief;
       Whereas social workers play a vital role in helping 
     individuals, families, and communities rebuild their lives 
     and neighborhoods after climate-related natural disasters 
     such as fires, floods, and hurricanes;
       Whereas social workers play a vital role in promoting 
     infant and maternal health and keeping children and families 
     safe from interpersonal violence;
       Whereas social workers support students and collaborate 
     with parents, teachers, school boards, and community agencies 
     to promote student success in schools across the country;
       Whereas social workers are a critical source of 
     information, services, and support in the rural communities 
     of the United States;
       Whereas social workers served on the frontlines of the 
     COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, delivering behavioral 
     health services and helping individuals, families, and 
     communities cope with the devastating loss of life, jobs, and 
     safety during the pandemic;
       Whereas the 2024 Social Work Month theme, ``Empowering 
     Social Workers: Inspiring Action, Leading Change'' embodies 
     how social workers are invaluable to the ever-changing 
     dynamics of our country;
       Whereas social workers enter the profession because they 
     have a strong desire to help empower individuals, families, 
     communities, and the United States to overcome issues that 
     prevent them from reaching their full potential;
       Whereas social workers are essential to community well-
     being, and, as practitioners, social workers are trained to 
     help individuals address personal and systemic barriers to 
     optimal living;
       Whereas social workers are employed to effect positive 
     change in individuals, families, groups, and entire 
     communities;
       Whereas social workers advocate for equal rights for all;
       Whereas the social work profession is one of the fastest 
     growing professions in the United States, but the profession 
     is still not large enough to meet the demand in the face of 
     the mental health crisis;
       Whereas there is a need to make a meaningful investment in 
     recruitment and retention of the social work profession; and
       Whereas social workers are ethically bound to work 
     throughout our society to meet individuals where they are and 
     help empower individuals and our society to reach the goals 
     they wish to attain: 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 19, 2024;
       (2) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the 
     millions of social workers who have, since the dawning of the 
     social work profession, advanced the health and well-being of 
     individuals, families, communities, and the United States;
       (3) 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; and
       (4) encourages individuals to engage in appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities to promote further awareness of the 
     integral role that social workers play in making a more 
     perfect Union.

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