SR1371 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The social work profession is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of others and meeting the basic needs of all people, especially the most vulnerable in our society; and

WHEREAS, Social workers embody this year's Social Work Month theme, "Social Workers: Leaders. Advocates. Champions"; and

WHEREAS, The social work profession is expected to grow faster than average over the next seven years, with more than 649,000 people expected to be employed as social workers by 2024; and

WHEREAS, Over 20,000 licensed social workers are present throughout our State, including in state and local government, schools, universities, social service agencies, the military, health care and mental health organizations, and owning and operating numerous private practice small businesses; and

WHEREAS, Social workers are the largest group of providers of mental health services in Illinois and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the largest employers of social workers holding advanced degrees; and

WHEREAS, Social workers are present in times of crisis, helping people overcome issues such as death and grief and helping people and communities recover from natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have pushed for decades to ensure rights for all, including women, African Americans, Latinos, people who are disabled, people who are LGBTQ, and various ethnic, cultural, and religious groups; and

WHEREAS, The social work profession has helped bring about some of the most profound, positive changes in our society over the past century, including voting rights, improved workplace safety, minimum wage increases, and social safety net programs that help prevent poverty and hunger; and

WHEREAS, Social workers continue to engage and bring together individuals, communities, agencies, and government to help society solve some of the most pressing issues of the day, including immigration reform, equal rights for all, affordable and adequate health care, mental health care, and environmental protection; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of March of 2018 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.