[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 2097] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]A TRIBUTE TO THE ACADEMY OF CERTIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS ______ HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS of new york in the house of representatives Friday, February 26, 2010 Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW). The year 2010 provides us an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of Academy members throughout the past five decades. Established in 1960, on the verge of revolutionary social reforms, the Academy of Certified Social Workers was the first credential created by the National Association of Social Workers to acknowledge leaders committed to the social work profession and to improving society. Before individual states enacted licensing regulations for the social workers, the Academy served as the sole source of designating social workers qualified for social work practice. The 50th Anniversary of the Academy of Certified Social Workers is noteworthy in America because it recognizes the past and present social workers who have made significant contributions to society. Academy members include six dedicated individuals. James Dumpson is the former vice president of the New York Community Trust, one of the nation's largest, oldest and most respected philanthropic organizations and a leader in the community foundation movement. Ada Deer is recognized as an advocate and organizer on behalf of Native Americans. She became the first woman to be appointed Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Delwin Anderson was Director of the Social Work Service of the Department of Medicine and Surgery in the Veteran's Administration from 1964 to 1974. Bernice Harper was Medical Care Advisor to the Health Care Financing Administration in Washington, DC and she is a pioneer in hospice and palliative care. Warren Graham, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, implemented the ``Reclaiming Futures Initiative,'' instituting county-wide change in the New York juvenile justice system addressing adolescents who are substance abusers. Jessica Sawyer is currently involved in the development and implementation of a pioneering process for incorporating mental health treatment in a medical setting in North Carolina. Members of the Academy of Certified Social Workers represent the thought leadership of the profession. In clinical settings and case management; in courtrooms, communities, government agencies, and medical facilities; in universities and other professional educational venues and at local, state, and federal policy level; ACSWs span the range of social work practice from direct service to research and systems analysis for individuals, families, groups, and communities. The accomplishments of Academy members in social justice, social welfare, mental health, and philanthropy and humanitarianism have had significant positive effects in our society. Today's Academy holders continue to create and inform innovative practices to improve the quality of life for current and future generations of Americans. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the ACSW leaders who influenced America so profoundly in the past and acknowledging the work of over 35,000 current members of the Academy who continue to make a difference in people's lives today. ____________________