Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Library of Congress
The James Madison Memorial Building ~ Madison Hall

Congressman Edolphus Towns Event Remarks

NASW Executive Director Elizabeth Clark Event Remarks

The Congressional Social Work Caucus (CSWC) is an authorized Congressional Member Organization (CMO) inaugurated in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 111th Congress. Membership of the CSWC consists of social worker Members and those who support the social work profession and society’s social safety net. The CSWC is chaired by Congressman Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY10), a professional social worker.

Members of the CSWC*

Chairman Edolphus Towns (NY-10) Rep. Karen R. Bass (CA-33) Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV-1) Rep. Sanford D. Bishop (GA-2) Rep. Corrine Brown (FL-3) Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Jr. (NC-1) Rep. Andre Carson (IN-7) Rep. Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) Rep. Donna Christian Christensen (VI) Rep. David N. Cicilline (RI-1) Rep. Hansen Clarke (MI-3) Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-11) Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-1) Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5) Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9) Rep. Gerald "Gerry" Connolly (VA-11) Rep. John Conyers (MI-14) Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7) Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-7) Rep. Susan A. Davis (CA-53) Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-25) Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5) Rep. Bob Filner (CA-51) Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-7) Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4) Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL-23) Rep. Mazie K. Hirono (HI-2) Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) Rep. Michael Honda (CA-15) Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49)

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-2) Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-9) Rep. John Lewis (GA-5) Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-2) Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-6) Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4) Rep. Michael H. Michaud (Me-2) Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD) Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-8) Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) Rep. Donald M. Payne (NJ-10) Rep. Todd Russell Platts (PA-19) Rep. Jared Polis (CO-2) Rep. Nick J. Rahall, II (WV-3) Rep. Charles B. Rangel (NY-15) Rep. Laura Richardson (CA-37) Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-1) Rep. Linda T. Sanchez (CA-39) Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) Rep. Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3) Rep. Jose E. Serrano (NY-16) Rep. Pete Stark (CA-13) Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) Rep. Paul D. Tonko (NY-21) Rep. Nikki Tsongas (MA-5) Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-35) Rep. Mel Watt (NC-12) Rep. Henry Waxman (CA-30) Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-3)

*As of February 14, 2012

 

The purpose of the CSWC is to create a platform on the Hill representing the interests of over 600,000 social workers throughout the United States who positively impact the lives of the elderly, the disadvantaged, children, veterans, or other individuals in need of guidance and direction in their lives. Every day social workers help people find solutions to poverty, divorce, addiction, emotional distress and other psychological and social issues, yet they often face a host of workforce challenges such as low salaries, high educational debt, and safety concerns. The Congressional Social Work Caucus will put a spotlight on the dedicated work of social workers in child welfare agencies, health clinics and outpatient healthcare settings, mental health clinics, schools, government agencies, social service agencies, private practice, criminal justice environments, and many more arenas in the public and private sectors.

The objectives of the Congressional Social Work Caucus are:

• Initiate and support legislation to address the unique challenges and opportunities for professional social workers.
• Monitor and evaluate programs and legislation designed to assist and support individuals, families, and communities at all income levels who are coping with economic, social and health problems, particularly those with limited resources.
• Provide Congressional staff members with educational tools and resources directed toward improving the social work profession and the people social workers serve.
• Assist in education and awareness efforts on the breadth and scope of the social work profession.

The CSWC will accomplish its goals and objectives through regular briefings on the Hill, statements in the media, convening experts on specific issues, engaging social work practitioners, schools, and scholars, fostering interdisciplinary cooperation with relevant disciplines, and by working with various stakeholders in local government and communities. The CSWC will expand congressional internship opportunities for social work students. The CSWC is committed to advancing and sustaining the social work profession’s ability to continue to respond to our nation’s most challenging problems.

For additional information contact Dr. Charles E. Lewis, Jr. at charles.lewis@mail.house.gov or 202.225.5936.