Bill Text: IL HR0193 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Recognizes 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-04-18 - Resolution Adopted by Voice Vote [HR0193 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0193-Introduced.html

---

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

HR0193 - 2 - LRB103 31726 LAW 60308 r
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

HR0193 - 3 - LRB103 31726 LAW 60308 r
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.