; Whereas social workers enter the profession because they have a strong desire to help empower individuals, families, communities, and the Nation to overcome issues that prevent them from reaching their full potential; Whereas social workers are essential to community well-being because social workers are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living, and are employed to effect positive change in individuals, families, groups, and entire communities; Whereas social workers advocate for equal rights for all; Whereas the social work profession is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, but still not large enough to meet the demand in the face of the mental health crisis; Whereas there is a need to make a meaningful investment in recruitment into the social work profession and retention of professional social work; and Whereas social workers are ethically bound to work throughout society to meet people where they are and help empower people and society to reach the goals they wish to attain: Now, therefore, be it