P1 1WHEREAS, March 2014 is recognized nationally as “Social
2Work Month” and this year’s theme is, “All People Matter”; and
3WHEREAS, The social work profession has its roots in the 1889
4Chicago settlement house movement led by the “Mother of Social
5Work,” Jane Addams; and
6WHEREAS, The primary mission of the social work profession
7is to enhance and meet the basic needs of all people, with particular
8attention to the needs and empowerment through social action and
9social justice for those who are poor, oppressed, and living in
10poverty; and
11WHEREAS, Today, there are over 640,000 professional social
12workers in the United States, over 50,000 of whom are in
13California; and
14WHEREAS, There are over 4,000 graduate students in the social
15work pipeline in 21 accredited California State University,
16University of California, and private programs throughout the
17state; and
18WHEREAS, Professional social workers train in an intensive
19combination of classroom and community experiences focused on
20individuals, families, and communities in crisis and in need of
21help; and
22WHEREAS, Professional social workers provide services across
23the 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, and who have served in the California State Legislature
9include the Honorable Mary Salas, BSW, and the Honorable Patty
10Berg, B.A. in social work; 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 2014 “Social Work Month” in the
19State of California, commends the California Chapter of the
20National Association of Social Workers, which celebrates its 40th
21anniversary, for its role in advancing professional social work and
22promoting the well-being of the people of California, and urges
23all Californians to take part in March “All People Matter” events
24throughout California; and be it further
25Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
26of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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