IV 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1093 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2024 Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mr. Tonko , Mr. Bishop of Georgia , Mr. Schiff , Mr. Davis of Illinois , and Ms. Garcia of Texas ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social Work Day.

Whereas the Nation’s 700,000 social workers are an essential workforce that promotes the health and well-being of communities across the United States 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 pursue social justice as part of their code of ethics and have been a leading voice in social change movements for over a century, combating racism and discrimination in all its forms, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, gender discrimination, religious intolerance, and the stigma of mental illness, as well as promoting voting rights, a livable wage, workplace safety, social safety net programs that help alleviate poverty, hunger, and homelessness, and the rights of people 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 people in 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 overcome mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and meet basic needs; Whereas social workers are on the frontlines of the Nation’s addiction crisis, helping people get the treatment they need and prevail over substance use disorders; Whereas social workers play a vital role in— (1) helping United States veterans and their families access benefits, secure housing, and cope with stress and post-traumatic stress disorder; (2) promoting the health, well-being, and dignity of older adults and their ability to live safely and securely in their own homes and communities; (3) supporting the millions of family caregivers across the country who are caring for loved ones in need of assistance; (4) helping individuals, families, and communities rebuild their lives and neighborhoods after climate-related natural disasters such as fires, floods, and hurricanes; and (5) promoting infant and maternal health, and keeping children and families safe from interpersonal violence; Whereas social workers are a vital source of assistance, comfort, and support for individuals and families coping with illness, dying, death, and grief; 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 Nation’s rural communities; 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 the United States; Whereas social workers enter the profession because they have a strong desire to help empower individuals, families, communities, and the Nation to overcome issues that prevent them from reaching their full potential; Whereas social workers are essential to community well-being because social workers are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living, and 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 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 into the social work profession and retention of professional social work; and Whereas social workers are ethically bound to work throughout society to meet people where they are and help empower people and society to reach the goals they wish to attain: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social Work Day; (2) recognizes with gratitude the contributions of the millions of social workers who have advanced individual, family, community, and the Nation’s health and well-being since the dawning of the social work profession; (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.