BILL NUMBER: HR 24INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Yamada FEBRUARY 23, 2012 Relative to Social Work Month. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, March 2012 is recognized nationally as "Social Work Month" and this year's theme is, "Social Work Matters"; and WHEREAS, The social work profession has its roots in the 1889 Chicago settlement house movement led by the "Mother of Social Work," Jane Addams; and WHEREAS, The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance and meet the basic needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment through social action and social justice for those who are poor, oppressed, and living in poverty; and WHEREAS, Today, there are over 640,000 professional social workers in the United States, 48,000 of whom are in California; and WHEREAS, There are over 4,000 graduate students in the social work pipeline in 21 accredited California State University, University of California, and private programs throughout the state; and WHEREAS, Professional social workers train in an intensive combination of classroom and community experiences focused on individuals, families, and communities in crisis and in need of help; and WHEREAS, Professional social workers provide services across the age spectrum, from prenatal to end of life services; and WHEREAS, Professional social workers serve in diverse settings, including schools, courtrooms, health clinics, hospitals, senior centers, homeless shelters, nursing homes, the military, disaster relief, prisons, corporations, and in political office; and WHEREAS, Professional social workers who have served in Congress include the Honorable Ron Dellums, MSW, the Honorable Barbara Lee, MSW, and the Honorable Susan Davis, MSW. The Honorable Mary Salas, BSW, and the Honorable Patty Berg, B.A. in social work, have served in the California State Legislature; and WHEREAS, Professional social workers who have combined their leadership skills and knowledge of community development into distinguished positions include Arturo Rodriguez, MSW, President of the United Farmworkers Organization, and James Mize, MSW, Sacramento Superior Court Judge; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly proclaims March 2012 "Social Work Month" in the State of California, commends the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for its role in advancing professional social work and promoting the well-being of the people of California, and urges all Californians to take part in March "Social Work Matters" events throughout California; and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.