SR1537 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1537 LRB099 20738 MST 45387 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance the well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable in society; and

WHEREAS, Social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States with more than 640,000 members of the profession and over 20,000 in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Social workers serve in all areas of our society to improve happiness, health, and prosperity, including in government, schools, universities, social service agencies, communities, the military, and mental health and health care facilities; and

WHEREAS, Social workers daily embody this year's Social Work Month theme, "Forging Solutions Out of Challenges", by helping individuals, communities, and the larger society tackle and solve issues that confront them; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have helped this nation live up to its ideals by successfully pushing for equal rights for all, including women, African Americans, Latinos, people who are LGBTQ, and various ethnic, cultural, and religious groups; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have helped people in this nation overcome racial strife and economic and health care uncertainty by successfully advocating for initiatives such as Medicaid, unemployment insurance, workplace safety, Social Security benefits, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and the Affordable Care Act; and

WHEREAS, Social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States and daily work to help people overcome depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and other disorders so they can lead more fulfilling lives; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employs more than 12,000 professional social workers; social workers help bolster our nation's security by providing support to active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of child, family and school social workers across the country provide assistance to protect children and improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families; and

WHEREAS, Social workers help children find loving homes and create new families through adoption; and

WHEREAS, Social workers in schools work with families and schools to foster future generations by ensuring students reach their full academic and personal potential; and

WHEREAS, Social workers work with older adults and their families to improve their quality of life and ability to live independently as long as possible and get access to quality mental health and health care; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have helped the United States and other nations overcome earthquakes, floods, wars, and other disasters by helping survivors get services such as food, shelter, health care, and mental health care to address stress and anxiety; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the month of March of 2016 as Social Work Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter with our sincere appreciation for their efforts.