2022 -- H 8018

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LC005600

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2022 TO BE "SOCIAL WORK MONTH" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Filippi, Casimiro,
Felix, Alzate, S Lima, Solomon, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Social Work profession for decades has been dedicated to improving

human well-being and enhancing the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable

among us; and

     WHEREAS, This year’s Social Work Month theme is "The time is Right for Social

Work" and embodies the heroic contributions of the social work profession to our nation,

including the work social workers have done to heal our nation during these times of pandemic,

racial unrest, economic uncertainty and political divisiveness; and

     WHEREAS, Social workers have always been present in times of crisis, helping people

overcome issues such as death and grief and helping people and communities recover from

natural disasters such as fires, hurricanes and earthquakes; and

     WHEREAS, Social workers have helped this nation live up to its values by successfully

advocating for equal rights for all people, no matter their race, sexual identity, gender, gender

expression, culture or religion; and

     WHEREAS, The social work profession is one of the fastest growing professions in the

United States, with nearly 800,000 people expected to be employed as Social Workers by 2028;

and

     WHEREAS, Social workers work in all parts of our society to empower people to live to

their fullest potential; and

     WHEREAS, School social workers have worked with families and schools throughout

the pandemic to ensure students reach their full academic and personal potential; and

     WHEREAS, Social workers play a crucial role in our nation’s health care system and

have played a key role in this nation’s response to Covid-19 and helping individuals, families and

communities cope with the epidemic; and

     WHEREAS, Social workers for generations have advocated for positive changes that

have made our 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 national health care

providers in the United States, and work daily, whether in person or remotely, to help people

overcome substance use disorders and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety; and

     WHEREAS, Social workers will continue to stand ready to assist our nation in

overcoming present and future challenges, including pushing for racial equity, ending gun

violence, improving health care and mental health care for all and urging lawmakers to adopt

immigration reforms; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims March of 2022 to be "Social Work Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rick Harris, Executive Director, National

Association of Social Workers.

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