[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 245 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 245

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                           May 3, 2006.
Whereas since 2003, National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, also 
        known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence 
        Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing;
Whereas National Nurses Week is the time each year when the importance of 
        nursing in health care can be demonstrated;
Whereas well-trained health professionals are the cornerstone of the Nation's 
        complex health system;
Whereas registered nurses (``RNs'') represent the largest single component of 
        the health care profession, with an estimated 2.7 million RNs in the 
        United States;
Whereas nurses historically have provided hands-on patient care at the bedside, 
        and will continue to do so;
Whereas nurses have a mandate to serve those in need, and to try to ease the 
        suffering of those in pain;
Whereas nurses also are deeply involved in health education, research, business, 
        and public policy;
Whereas nurses bear the primary responsibility for the care and well-being of 
        hospital patients;
Whereas unfortunately, too few nurses are caring for too many patients in our 
        Nation's hospitals;
Whereas according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services, 
        the United States currently has a nurse shortage of nearly 150,000 RNs 
        and will have a shortage of more than 800,000 RNs by the year 2020;
Whereas cutting-edge technologies are useless without a staff of trained 
        professionals to implement them; and
Whereas nurses are the unsung heroines and heroes of the medical profession: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the important contributions of nurses to the health 
        care system of the United States;
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, as 
        founded by the American Nurses Association; and
            (3) encourages the people of the United States to observe National 
        Nurses Week with appropriate recognition, ceremonies, activities, and 
        programs to demonstrate the importance of nurses to the everyday lives 
        of patients.



            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.