[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize March as 
National Social Work Month. National Social Work Month affords the 
perfect opportunity to highlight the essential role that social workers 
play in working with all vulnerable populations. Social workers help 
all people at every stage of life, while promoting dignity for 
everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us.
  Social workers play an essential role in alleviating some of 
America's most difficult problems. Through education, training, and 
dedication, social workers provide assistance in many different 
practice areas including health, mental health, child welfare, end of 
life, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS and family violence. Social workers 
have the specialized knowledge and expertise to address issues facing 
older Americans, including providing individual and family counseling, 
psychosocial assessment and coordinating care.
  Madam Speaker, more than 77 million Americans are considered part of 
the baby boom generation. Adults born between 1946 and 1964 have the 
distinction of being the largest generation, representing 27 percent of 
the population. With the aging of baby boomers and the lengthening of 
life spans, both the number and proportion of older people is rapidly 
increasing.
  Social workers understand that the best elder care requires a broad 
view of social, environmental, psychological, economic, and health care 
options. It is the ability to see the intersection of these elements 
that allow social workers to connect clients with the best resources 
for them--the best resources to help them along life's journeys. Social 
workers strive to promote independence, autonomy and dignity for all of 
their clients. They offer families ways to deal effectively with long-
term care responsibilities and work through hospitals nursing homes, 
hospices, independent and assisted living facilities, public agencies 
and even in client homes.
  National Social Work Month is the ideal time to highlight the 
immediate and ongoing need for an investment in the social work labor 
force. As a former psychologist, educator and healthcare professional, 
I have had the privilege of working with many social workers. I can 
personally attest that social workers have the specialized knowledge 
and expertise to address issues facing Americans.

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