TITLE: Recognizing April 11, 2025, as Social Work Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.

SUMMARY: Recognizing April 11, 2025, as Social Work Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The National Association of Social Workers, Texas Chapter, is hosting Social Work Advocacy Day at the State Capitol on April 11, 2025, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the highly acclaimed School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington; and WHEREAS, The UTA School of Social Work is one of the largest and most prestigious programs of its kind in the nation; boasting over 2,100 students and more than 13,000 alumni, the school offers a bachelor's degree program that is consistently ranked among the top three in Texas and the Southwest, as well as an online master's program that has been rated as the best in the country by several independent evaluators; and WHEREAS, A national leader in aging and gerontology education, UTA's School of Social Work is among a minority of graduate programs in North America offering a specialty track in this field; the school's master's degree program features additional specialties in health care, children and families, mental health and substance misuse, and community and administrative practice, and the school allows students to become certified to provide social work services to veterans and members of the military; moreover, its academic offerings include a highly regarded Ph.D. program, and it is expected to launch its much-anticipated doctor of social work online program in January 2026; and WHEREAS, The School of Social Work is a research powerhouse dedicated to promoting lifelong learning, professional growth, and personal development; last year, its faculty members ranked in the 96th percentile for publication in academic and scientific research journals and secured $6.8 million in external funding awards for their research; and WHEREAS, UTA social work students, through their field practicum and internship courses, contribute nearly 600,000 volunteer hours annually at more than 300 community agencies and organizations, which translates to an economic impact of over $15 million; and WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1967, The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work has advanced society's understanding of social justice and trained generations of social advocates who have positively influenced the lives of countless people in North Texas and beyond; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas Legislature hereby recognize April 11, 2025, as Social Work Advocacy Day at the State Capitol and extend a warm welcome to all those who are visiting Austin in observance of this occasion. Turner Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 628 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2025, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House