[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8009]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Towns) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor America's social 
workers. This month provides us an opportunity to highlight the 
essential role that social workers play in alleviating some of 
America's most difficult problems.
  Professional social workers are found in every facet of community 
life, including our schools, our hospitals, mental health clinics, 
senior citizen facilities, elected office, private practices, prisons, 
among our military personnel, and the list goes on and on.
  I have had the opportunity to work with some outstanding social 
workers or to be involved professionally with them. I have been 
involved with Dr. Roger Witherspoon, who is a great social worker, Mr. 
Levander Lilly, Ruby Bullock, Betty Williams, Mark Handelman, Ed Pitt, 
Dr. Joe Jackson, Sam Hodes, and I can go on and on because of my many 
years of being involved in the field of social work.
  This year's theme for National Professional Social Workers Month is 
``Hope and Health; Help Starts Here.'' This theme reflects the 
important work being done by social workers in the health care field.
  Social workers involved in health care often work within a 
multidisciplinary team which includes doctors, nurses and other medical 
professionals. This is an approach to ensure quality care for patients 
and their families.
  I am grateful for the leadership and expertise that the members of 
the National Association of Social Workers provide to the people of 
America and, of course, around the world. Social workers in all 
disciplines use their collective power every day to strengthen our 
Nation's families and communities, help individuals overcome adversity, 
and advance sound social policies. The commitment and dedication of 
social workers to create a more positive environment for all of our 
people is to be commended.
  Last year, the National Association of Social Workers released the 
results of a national study which warns of an impending shortage of 
social workers that threatens future services for all Americans, 
especially the most vulnerable among us, our children and our senior 
citizens.
  Throughout history, social workers have addressed the needs of 
society and brought our Nation's social problems to the public's 
attention. As one of the 10 proud social workers of the House of 
Representatives, today I know firsthand how social workers across this 
country advocate for the humane, fair and beneficial policies for all 
of our citizens.
  So I salute all social workers during this National Professional 
Social Work Month; and I say to my colleagues around the board, social 
workers make a great contribution to the improvement of the quality of 
life for so many people in this country.

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