Whereas the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable in society; Whereas social work pioneers helped lead the Nation’s struggle for social justice and have helped paved the way for positive social change; Whereas social workers work in all areas of our society to improve happiness, health and prosperity, including in government, schools, universities, social service agencies, communities, the military, and mental health and health care facilities; Whereas social workers are key employees at the Federal, State, and local levels of government and work to expand policies and practices that promote equity and social justice for all people; Whereas social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States, with almost 650,000 members of the profession; Whereas social workers daily embody this year’s National Professional Social Work Month theme, Social Workers Stand Up! , and this year’s World Social Work Day on March 21, 2017, Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability , by working with individuals, organizations, communities, and the larger society to tackle and solve issues that confront them; Whereas social workers have pushed for decades to ensure equal rights for all, including women, communities of color, the LGBT community, people who are disabled, and various other ethnic, cultural and religious groups; Whereas social workers have continued to advocate for legislation and policies that address racial and ethnic justice, including renewal of the Voting Rights Act, the Violence Against Women’s Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, workplace safety, and Social Security benefits; Whereas social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, and work daily to help people overcome substance use disorders and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety