[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 54 (Tuesday, May 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN NURSES DURING NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

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                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 5, 1998

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an 
outstanding group of dedicated health care professionals--the 2.6 
million registered nurses in the United States.
  These outstanding men and women, who stand at the forefront of modern 
medicine, will celebrate National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 1998. As far 
as this Member is concerned, all Americans who have ever been cared for 
or comforted by a nurse should celebrate during National Nurses Week.
  According to the American Nurses Association, National Nurse Week was 
first observed October 11-16, 1954, the 100th Anniversary of the 
founding of modern nursing by Florence Nightingale during the Crimean 
War. National Nurses Day and Week was eventually moved to May to 
incorporate Florence Nightingale's birthday, which is May 12.
  Registered nurses are in many ways the backbone of our health care 
system. In many states they now safely prescribe medicine and deliver 
babies. Studies have shown that higher the ratio of nurse-to-patients 
in a hospital, the lower the patient death rate. In short, registered 
nurses provide top-quality, cost-effective health care services for 
their patients.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute America's nurses during the week of May 6-12, 
1998 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.




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