R 100

2021 -- H 6105 Enacted 03/04/2021

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MARCH OF 2021 TO BE "SOCIAL WORKER APPRECIATION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, Alzate, Casimiro, O'Brien, Morales, Filippi,

Date Introduced: March 04, 2021

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, "Social Workers Are Essential,"

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 the Month of March of 2021 to be "Social Worker Appreciation 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 Dr. Mildred C. Joyner, DPS, MSW, LCSW,

National Association of Social Workers.

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LC002299

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