A03657
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
344
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, VENKAT, WAXMAN, HANBIDGE, CERRATO,
BOROWSKI, O'MARA, SCHLOSSBERG, HOWARD, VITALI, SAMUELSON,
ABNEY, KENYATTA, PROBST, KAZEEM, CIRESI, HOHENSTEIN AND
GIRAL, MARCH 18, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, MARCH 18, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of March 2024 as "National Social Work
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, For decades, the social work profession has been
dedicated to improving human well-being and enhancing the basic
needs of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable; and
WHEREAS, The services provided by the social work profession
are needed more than ever as our nation addresses economic
inequality, systemic racism, the need for improved physical and
mental health care, COVID-19 and other significant societal and
health issues; and
WHEREAS, People become social workers because they have a
strong desire to help others and make our society a better place
to live for all; and
WHEREAS, According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social
work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Social workers have always been present in times of
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crisis, helping individuals overcome issues such as death and
grief and helping individuals and communities recover from
natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes and earthquakes; and
WHEREAS, Social workers have helped the United States uphold
its values by successfully advocating for equal rights for all
individuals; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 720,000 professional social
workers in our nation, but that number is expected to rise to
more than 800,000 by 2030; and
WHEREAS, Social workers have helped drive significant,
positive changes in our nation; and
WHEREAS, Social workers, such as social reformer Jane Addams,
former Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins and civil rights
leaders Dorothy Height, Whitney M. Young, Jr., and Ida B. Wells,
have pushed for voting rights, equal rights, Social Security,
unemployment insurance and other programs; and
WHEREAS, Social workers work in all parts of our society to
empower individuals to live to their fullest potential; and
WHEREAS, School social workers have worked with families and
schools throughout the pandemic to ensure that students reach
their full academic and personal potential; and
WHEREAS, Social workers continue to work on the front lines
throughout the pandemic, helping clients receive the health care
they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss; and
WHEREAS, For generations, social workers have advocated for
positive changes that have made society a better place to live,
including urging policymakers to adopt the minimum wage, improve
workplace safety and enact social safety net programs that help
ameliorate hunger, homelessness and poverty; and
WHEREAS, Social workers are one of the largest groups of
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mental health care providers in the United States, working daily
to help individuals, whether in person or remotely, overcome
substance use disorders and mental illnesses, such as depression
and anxiety; and
WHEREAS, Social workers remain prepared to aid our nation in
surmounting current and forthcoming challenges, which include
advocating for racial equity, enhancing health care and mental
health care for everyone and encouraging lawmakers to consider
comprehensive reforms; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of March 2024 as "National Social Work Month" in
Pennsylvania and call upon all residents of this Commonwealth to
join the National Association of Social Workers in celebration
and support of the social work profession.
WHEREAS, The primary mission of social workers is to help
individuals who need assistance with social problems and life
complications; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 720,000 professional social
workers in the United States, but that number is expected to be
more than 800,000 by 2030; and
WHEREAS, Social workers connect individuals, families and
communities to available resources; and
WHEREAS, Over the past six decades, the National Association
of Social Workers and the social work profession have created
positive changes in society and for individuals; and
WHEREAS, Social workers also make a difference in the lives
of millions of Americans by helping to build, support and
empower positive family and community relationships; and
WHEREAS, Social workers endeavor to make sure that everyone
has access to the same basic rights, protections and
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opportunities; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 40 schools of social work in
this Commonwealth, making Pennsylvania the second largest
educator of social workers nationwide; and
WHEREAS, More than 11,000 licensed social workers practice
throughout this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, All individuals, no matter their circumstances, may
at some point in their lives need the expertise of a skilled
social worker; and
WHEREAS, Social workers are trained to work in a holistic way
to bring about positive changes on an individual, familial,
communal and societal level; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of March 2024 as "National Social Work Month" in this
Commonwealth and call upon all residents of this Commonwealth to
join with the National Association of Social Workers -
Pennsylvania Chapter, to celebrate and support social workers
and the social work profession.
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