HR0193 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0193 LRB103 31726 LAW 60308 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. (NABSW), comprised of people of African ancestry, for its commitment to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research; and

WHEREAS, NABSW was created during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in San Francisco, California on May 8, 1968 by a group of Black social workers who were convened for the National Conference on Social Welfare, the largest professional social work organization at the time; the organization's early activity was spearheaded by Cenie "Jomo" Williams Jr., the first national president and later the first executive director, who was instrumental in developing chapters in the United States, South America, the Caribbean, and Canada; and

WHEREAS, Through NABSW, people of African ancestry had an opportunity to unify in combating racism and white supremacy in the social welfare system; this new organization immediately articulated demands for change within the existing welfare structure; and

WHEREAS, Since 1969, NABSW has sponsored annual national conferences that address issues of social work service delivery, education, research, and alternative ideas for improving communities in America for people of African ancestry; and

WHEREAS, NABSW has additionally produced several position statements and publications in order to relate issues within the human services, social welfare, and juvenile justice systems and other systems that impact clients, the community, staff, educators, and policymakers; and

WHEREAS, NABSW's activities have also included participating in efforts to secure reparations for people of African ancestry, spotlighting the overrepresentation of African American children in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, studying the health and wellness of African Americans, providing voter education, and numerous additional advocacy efforts at the local, regional, and national levels; and

WHEREAS, NABSW has become the foremost advocacy group established to address social issues and concerns of the Black community and, since its inception, has worked to create a world in which people of African ancestry will live free from racial domination, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression; and

WHEREAS, NABSW, in collaboration with national, international, and other appropriate groups, continues to leverage its collective expertise to strategically develop the capacity of people of African ancestry to sustain and flourish; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. (NABSW) for its commitment to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to NABSW as an expression of our esteem and respect.