A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social Work Day on March 16, 2021.

III 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 115 Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social Work Day on March 16, 2021. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 16, 2021 Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Ms. SINEMA) submitted the following resolu- tion; 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 16, 2021. Whereas, for decades, social workers have dedicated their work to improving human well-being and enhancing the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable; Whereas the theme for Social Work Month 2021, ‘‘Social Workers Are Essential’’, embodies the heroic contribu- tions social workers have made to the United States, in- cluding the work social workers have done to heal the United States during the COVID–19 pandemic, racial unrest, economic uncertainty, and political divisiveness; Whereas social workers have always been present to help in times of crisis, including by— VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:41 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR115.IS SR115 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 115 IS (1) helping people overcome issues such as death and grief; and (2) helping people and communities recover from natural disasters, including fires, hurricanes, and earth- quakes; Whereas social workers have helped the United States live up to its value of equality by successfully advocating for equal rights for all people, no matter their race, sexual identity, gender, gender expression, culture, or religion; Whereas the social work profession is one of the fastest grow- ing professions in the United States, with nearly 800,000 people expected to be employed as social workers by 2028; Whereas social workers work in all parts of society to em- power people to live to their fullest potential; Whereas school social workers have worked with families and schools throughout the COVID–19 pandemic to ensure students reach their full academic and personal potential; Whereas social workers play a crucial role in the United States health care system and have played a key role in the response of the United States to the COVID–19 pan- demic, including by helping individuals, families, and communities cope with the epidemic; Whereas, for generations, social workers have advocated for positive changes that have made the United States a bet- ter place to live, including by— (1) urging policymakers to adopt the minimum wage; (2) improving workplace safety; and (3) enacting social safety net programs that help ameliorate hunger, homelessness, and poverty; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:41 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR115.IS SR115 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 115 IS Whereas social workers, one of the largest groups of mental health care providers in the United States, work daily to help people, whether in person or remotely, overcome sub- stance use disorders and mental illnesses, including de- pression and anxiety; and Whereas social workers stand ready to assist the United States in overcoming present and future challenges, in- cluding by— (1) providing sufficient access to mental health and social care services; (2) ensuring that all individuals in the United States can meet their basic human needs; and (3) advancing racial equity and the dignity of all in- dividuals: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Social 2 Work Month and World Social Work Day on March 3 16, 2021; 4 (2) acknowledges the diligent efforts of individ- 5 uals and groups who promote the importance of so- 6 cial work and observe Social Work Month and World 7 Social Work Day; 8 (3) encourages individuals to engage in appro- 9 priate ceremonies and activities to promote further 10 awareness of the life-changing role that social work- 11 ers play; and 12 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:41 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR115.IS SR115 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 115 IS (4) recognizes with gratitude the contributions 1 of the millions of caring individuals who have chosen 2 to serve their communities through social work. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:41 Mar 17, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR115.IS SR115 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS