Whereas, Social Workers are the nation’s largest providers of mental health services, delivering 60 percent of mental health treatment; and,

Whereas, Social Workers are on the front lines helping people overcome life’s most difficult challenges – poverty, abuse, addiction, illness, disability, discrimination and more; and,

Whereas, Social Workers are highly trained professionals working in schools, hospitals, health care agencies, mental health clinics, senior centers, crisis centers and military facilities; and,

Whereas, Social Workers actively advocate changes in policy and legislation to strengthen the social safety nets so critical to so many; and,

Whereas, Social Workers, whether in direct practice, administration, education, research or policy development, promote social justice for all; and,

Whereas, The need for social work services is expected to increase by 30 percent by the year 2010; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March, 2004, as Processional Social Work Month in Michigan and I urge all citizens to recognize, support and celebrate the work of Social Workers and the Social Work profession.