[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 592 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 592
Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social
Work Day on March 19, 2024.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
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
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social
Work Day on March 19, 2024.
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 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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