[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1086 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                           May 8, 2008.
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 nurses are recognized 
        for the critical role they play in providing safe, high-quality, and 
        preventative health care;
Whereas nurses are the cornerstone of the Nation's complex health care system, 
        representing the largest single component of the health care profession, 
        with an estimated over 2,500,000 registered nurses in the United States;
Whereas, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine 
        in May 2002, a higher proportion of nursing care provided by registered 
        nurses and a greater number of hours of care by registered nurses per 
        day are associated with better outcomes for hospitalized patients;
Whereas nurses are experienced researchers and their work encompasses a wide 
        scope of scientific inquiry including clinical research, health systems 
        and outcomes research, and nursing education research;
Whereas nurses are currently serving the Nation admirably in the conflicts in 
        Iraq and Afghanistan;
Whereas nurses help inform and educate the public to improve the practice of all 
        nurses and, more importantly, the health and safety of the patients they 
        care for;
Whereas the Nation continues to face a nursing shortage unprecedented in its 
        depth and duration, with a projection of over 1,000,000 new and 
        replacement nurses needed by 2016;
Whereas the nationwide nursing shortage has caused dedicated nurses to work 
        longer hours and care for more acutely ill patients;
Whereas nurses are strong allies to Congress as they help inform, educate, and 
        work closely with legislators to improve the education, retention, 
        recruitment, and practice of all nurses and, more importantly, the 
        health and safety of the patients they care for; and
Whereas nurses are an integral part of the health care delivery team and provide 
        quality care, support, and education to patients and their families, 
        conduct essential research, and serve as strong patient advocates: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significant 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.