P1 1WHEREAS, March 2013 is recognized nationally as “Social
2Work Month” and this year’s theme is, “Weaving Threads of
3Resiliency and Advocacy: The Power of Social Work”; and
4WHEREAS, The social work profession has its roots in the 1889
5Chicago settlement house movement led by the “Mother of Social
6Work,” Jane Addams; and
7WHEREAS, The primary mission of the social work profession
8is to enhance and meet the basic needs of all people, with particular
9attention to the needs and empowerment through social action and
10social justice for those who are poor, oppressed, and living in
11poverty; and
12WHEREAS, Today, there are over 640,000 professional social
13workers in the United States, over 50,000 of whom are in
14California; and
15WHEREAS, There are over 4,000 graduate students in the social
16work pipeline in 21 accredited California State University,
17University of California, and private programs throughout the
18state; and
19WHEREAS, Professional social workers train in an intensive
20combination of classroom and community experiences focused on
21individuals, families, and communities in crisis and in need of
22help; and
23WHEREAS, Professional social workers provide services across
24the age spectrum, from prenatal to end of life services; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Professional social workers serve in diverse
2settings, including schools, courtrooms, health clinics, hospitals,
3senior centers, homeless shelters, nursing homes, the military,
4disaster relief, prisons, corporations, and in political office; and
5WHEREAS, Professional social workers who have served in
6Congress include the Honorable Ron Dellums, MSW, the
7Honorable Barbara Lee, MSW, and the Honorable Susan Davis,
8MSW. The Honorable Mary Salas, BSW, and the Honorable Patty
9Berg, B.A. in social work, have served in the California State
10Legislature; and
11WHEREAS, Professional social workers who have combined
12their leadership skills and knowledge of community development
13into distinguished positions include Arturo Rodriguez, MSW,
14President of the United Farmworkers Organization, and James
15Mize, MSW, Sacramento Superior Court Judge; now, therefore,
16be it
17Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
18Assembly proclaims March 2013 “Social Work Month” in the
19State of California, commends the California Chapter of the
20National Association of Social Workers for its role in advancing
21professional social work and promoting the well-being of the
22people of California, and urges all Californians to take part in
23March “Weaving Threads of Resiliency and Advocacy: The Power
24of Social Work” events throughout California; and be it further
25Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
26of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
O
99