Most recently Congressman Towns founded the Congressional Social Work Caucus (CSWC), which represents the interests of over 650,000 professional social workers nationwide and serves as a congressionally-approved bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to maintaining and strengthening social work services in the United States. Learn more about the work of the CSWC including briefings and events held on topics of importance to the profession and to the clients served by social workers.

Additionally, the Congressman has been the House sponsor of the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act. The legislation, which has a Senate companion bill introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD), addresses the workforce challenges facing the profession such as low salaries, high educational debt, and safety concerns.

In response to his retirement, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, Executive Director of NASW said that, “Congressman Towns has been an incredible friend of and advocate for our profession. He has consistently used his social work skills and training to work in a bipartisan and effective way to achieve sustainable results. His community, the country, and the profession of social work have been left better due to his efforts.”

Send Congressman Towns a letter of appreciation today. Feel free to use the draft language below (and edit to personalize) and send your message to towns.swra@mail.house.gov. Our goal is to have members from every state send their message of appreciation to the Congressman.
Please note that although you may not receive a response from the Office of Congressman Towns, however he expresses his appreciation for your support.

Dear Congressman Towns,

As a professional social worker, I want to thank you for your lifetime of work on behalf of our profession and the clients we serve. You have been an unwavering advocate for the most vulnerable among us and our communities have been left better as a result of your work.

I appreciate that you have sponsored the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act since the 110^th Congress. It has been a groundbreaking piece of legislation for social workers and I commit to working to ensure its passage. I also want to thank you for creating and serving as Chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus. The CSWC is important to social workers nationwide, so that we can see the issues that we care about reflected in the halls of Congress, and work to bring real, sustainable change to some of society’s most pressing problems.

We wish you luck in the next steps of your career, and celebrate your legacy of social work leadership.

Sincerely,

(http://www.forbes.com/sites/rahimkanani/2012/04/20/why-do-republicans-oppose-reauthorizing-the-violence-against-women-act/)

In its role as an advocate for social justice issues, the National Association of Social Workers has sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives asking them to reauthorize VAWA in the current form as passed by the Senate, which would include expanded protections to Native Americans, undocumented Immigrants, and the LGBT community.

However, as a demonstration of the Republicans in the House of Representatives’ opposition to the Senate’s version of the VAWA reauthorization, Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL) introduced a House version of VAWA (HR4970) which strips out the protections for Native Americans, undocumented immigrants and the LGBT community. On Wednesday, May 16, 2012, the House passed the Adams version of VAWA by an essentially party-line vote of 222-205. The House version (H.R. 4970) passed by the House specifically removed LGBT protections, and eliminated protections for women and children who are victims of domestic violence on Indian reservations by abusers who are not members of a particular tribe. The House VAWA reauthorization also removes a major provision from the Senate bill that would make it easier for domestic violence victims to change subsidized housing programs in order to avoid an abuser who trying to re-contact her. Another provision dropped from the House version is the protections against violence against women that often happens on college campuses.

The next steps for reauthorizing VAWA include a presidential veto (which President Obama has promised to do), and/or an effort by the Senate and House to meet and reconcile the differences between the two versions of VAWA. Individuals who agree that the greatly watered down HR 4970 should not be allowed to become law can write or call their member of Congress to encourage them to retain the protections in the Senate version of VAWA.

Heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia create an environment of discrimination and bias, and can both create and sustain policies and practices that place lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons as less than equal with regard to legal rights, economic and educational opportunities, and social status across diverse societies.

In a speech recognizing International Human Rights Day, Secretary Rodham Clinton noted, “Many LGBT Americans have endured violence and harassment in their own lives, and for some, including many young people, bullying and exclusion are daily experiences. So we, like all nations, have more work to do to protect human rights”.

Social workers worldwide understand the importance of educating ourselves and others about heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia  – - and working for change and ensuring human rights for all persons.   Learn more about how to improve the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

“Today, the national hotline for domestic violence receives more than 23,000 calls every month. “Imagine the courage it takes to call that number,” said Vice President Biden. “This bill is as relevant today as it was the day it passed.”

(http://www.forbes.com/sites/rahimkanani/2012/04/20/why-do-republicans-oppose-reauthorizing-the-violence-against-women-act/)

In its role as an advocate for social justice issues, the National Association of Social Workers has sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives asking them to reauthorize VAWA in the current form as passed by the Senate, which would include expanded protections to Native Americans, undocumented Immigrants, and the LGBT community.

As it stands now, Rep. Sandy Adams (R-FL) introduced a House version of VAWA (HR4970) with 35 Republican co-sponsors. However, HR 4970 strips out the protections for Native Americans, undocumented immigrants and the LGBT community. On May 8, 2012, the House Judiciary Committee approved HR 4970 on a party-line 17-15 vote. It is expected that HR 4970 will be on the House floor for a vote on or about May 14, 2012.

NASW has long held the position that persons of same gender sexual orientation should be afforded all the same rights as persons of other-gender orientation.  The Association has worked in a variety of capacities to advance marriage equality including several amicus briefs filed by the Legal Defense Fund.  For example, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in 2002 establishing the right of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts by the highest court in the state, Jackson v. DC Board of Elections and Ethics, in 2010 challenging the proposed referendum to ban same-sex marriage in DC, and Perry v. Brown in 2011 challenging the legality of  Proposition 8 in California.

As noted in NASW’s Same-Sex Marriage Fact Sheet, there are more than 1,000 federal protections and responsibilities denied to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender families because they cannot legally marry in this country.  Without the legal right to marry, for example, members of the LGBT community:

• do not have rights to family health coverage, child custody and medical and bereavement leave,
• cannot file joint tax returns and enjoy income and estate tax benefits,
• cannot assume pension or Social Security benefits in the event of the death of a same-sex partner,
• do not have the automatic ability to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner,
• cannot petition for their same-sex partner to immigrate,
• are not entitled to leave of absence from work to care for a seriously ill partner or parent of a partner,
• can be questioned or challenged through legal means regarding parenting responsibilities of children brought into LGBT families through birth, adoption, surrogacy or other means,
• do not have the ability to purchase continued health coverage for a same-sex partner after the loss of a job.

NASW President, Dr. Jeane Anastas, states, “President Obama’s courage in allowing his political stance on same-sex marriage to evolve to endorsement of full marriage equality is to be celebrated.  My wife and I are deeply grateful that our commitments to love, care, and mutual responsibility are being recognized as equal to those of any other married couple.  President Obama’s determination to ensure fairness is an inspiration to all of us.”

For more information on NASW’s work on LGBT issues, click here.

On April 17, 2012, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) held a hearing on racial profiling The hearing (the first in the Senate since before 9/11) explored how profiling harms law enforcement; the different faces of racial profiling, including state immigration laws in Alabama and Arizona that subject Hispanic Americans to heightened scrutiny; discriminatory law enforcement against African Americans; and anti-terrorism efforts that target American Muslims. The hearings attracted national news coverage and an overflow attendance in the hearing room. NASW submitted testimony for Sen. Durbin’s hearing and in support of passage of the End Racial Profiling Act of 2011 (S-1670. More detailed can be obtained on Sen. Durbin’s webpage (http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=a8191909-fc81-4f66-bbb5-285e763f35e8).

Although the bill (originally sponsored by Vice-President Biden when he was in the Senate) has been reauthorized twice before, this is the first time VAWA has not received any bipartisan support.  When the safety of women across the country is at stake, Congress must set aside partisan bickering and pass a fully-funded reauthorization of VAWA.  As Vice President Biden recently stated when discussing a world without VAWA, “…imagine now, the message it sends if it is not reauthorized. Just ask what message it would send to every one of our daughters, every woman imprisoned in their home.”

Special Announcement
The White House Council on Women and Girls

On Tuesday, April 24th, 2012, from 10:30am to 11:30am EDT, The White House Council on Women and Girls will host a special White House event on girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

This event is designed to inspire girls to study STEM subjects and pursue STEM careers and will feature a panel of distinguished women speaking about exciting STEM careers, including: Dr. Cady Coleman, NASA Astronaut, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired; Jocelyn Goldfein, Director of Engineering at Facebook; Dr. Jean Hernandez, President of Edmonds Community College; and Bianca Bailey, President of the Howard University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will deliver opening remarks and moderate the panel. The event will also include the premiere of “Girls in STEM”, a video about young women scientists and engineers who attended the 2012 White House Science Fair.

While the event will be held at the White House and convene primarily local high school girls interested in STEM fields, we would like to reach a larger audience of girls across the nation by live-streaming the event online. For those who can’t join us during the school day, we will also make a video recording of the entire event available online for viewing at any time, which might be particularly useful for after school programs and other youth enrichment programs.

We would appreciate it if you would share the information below with your membership and others who may be interested in participating in this event.

Thank you for spreading the word, and please let us know if you have further questions. We hope you join us on the 24th!

ANNOUNCEMENT OF SPECIAL WHITE HOUSE EVENT

ON GIRLS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM)

April 24, 2012

10:30am – 11:30am EDT

What: White House Event on Girls in STEM.

Women and girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in the STEM fields – a trend that starts early and comes at a serious cost to both the career prospects of our young women and the success of our economy. By ensuring women and girls receive the exposure, encouragement and support they need to enter, and succeed in, STEM fields, this country can benefit from the full range and diversity of its talent.

The White House Council on Women and Girls is excited to announce a White House event that features a panel of trailblazing women in STEM fields who will share their experiences and encourage girls to follow in their footsteps – or blaze a trail of their own. This event will also include the very first public screening of “Girls in STEM,” a video on girls in STEM, featuring footage from girls who participated in the 2012 White House Science Fair.

This event will be live-streamed over the internet, and students will be able to submit questions for the panelists via Twitter and Facebook.

The event will proceed as follows:

10:30-10:35am: Remarks by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

10:35-10:45am: Premiere of “Girls in STEM” video, featuring girls who participated in the 2012

White House Science Fair

10:45-11:30am: Panel on girls in STEM moderated by Administrator Jackson and featuring the following panelists

• Dr. Cady Coleman, NASA Astronaut, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired
• Jocelyn Goldfein, Director of Engineering, Facebook
• Dr. Jean Hernandez, President, Edmonds Community College
• Bianca Bailey, President, Howard University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders

When: Tuesday, April 24th, 10:30am-11:30am EDT

Where: The event will be broadcast live online from the White House and on Facebook, enabling anyone with internet access to join. We will also post a video recording of the entire event online (as well as a link to “Girls in STEM”) for viewing any time at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/cwg.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Right now, you can submit your questions for the panel through this webform on WhiteHouse.gov: http://www.whitehouse.gov/webform/girls-stem-what-are-your-questions

• On April 24th, watch live stream on WhiteHouse.gov/live beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT

• On Facebook, you can watch the event live through the White House Live App (https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse/app_382697938420892) and ask questions on our wall (https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse)

• On Twitter, use the hashtag #GirlsInSTEM to ask questions and discuss the panel

• If you can’t join live, full video of the event will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov/cwg

Who: You! We are seeking the participation of students, educators, and others across the U.S. via live-stream, Twitter, and Facebook.

Office of Public Engagement

Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education

Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / Tel 202-564-4355 / PublicEngagement@epa.gov

Most recently Congressman Towns founded the Congressional Social Work Caucus (CSWC), which represents the interests of over 650,000 professional social workers nationwide and serves as a congressionally-approved bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to maintaining and strengthening social work services in the United States. Learn more about the work of the CSWC including briefings and events held on topics of importance to the profession and to the clients served by social workers.

Additionally, the Congressman has been the House sponsor of the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act. The legislation, which has a Senate companion bill introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD), addresses the workforce challenges facing the profession such as low salaries, high educational debt, and safety concerns. He noted the bill as one to watch in the CBC Bi-Annual Report, Opportunities for All: Pathways Out of Poverty, and played a role in the first and only Congressional hearing held on the profession of social work in 2008, “Caring for the Vulnerable: The State of Social Work in America.” Congressman Towns has been steadfast in his efforts to ensure that the legislation is passed into law and galvanized the support of over 100,000 social workers who contacted their Members of Congress urging their co-sponsorship of the bill.

Congressman Towns has submitted Congressional Records honoring the 50^th anniversary of the Academy of Certified Social Workers credential and in honor of NASW Executive Director, Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH. In response to his retirement, Dr. Clark said that, “Congressman Towns has been an incredible friend of and advocate for our profession. He has consistently used his social work skills and training to work in a bipartisan and effective way to achieve sustainable results. His community, the country, and the profession of social work have been left better due to his efforts.”

Now, we commemorate Equal Pay Day for a variety of reasons. For one, 77 cents on the dollar is not an acceptable rate at which to compensate women. NASW supports equal pay for equal work. Secondly, if attention is not called to this problem, the evidence suggests that it won’t cure itself. While women’s wages have gradually crept upwards, only concerted action can possibly result in real change.

Social Worker Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will likely face former Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) in the general election. Hoekstra recently stated that equal pay for equal work is nothing more than a “nuisance”. Perhaps if Hoekstra were a woman trying to make ends meet, he’d see it as much more than a mere nuisance.