[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 55 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 1998

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the work of America's 2.6 million registered nurses to save lives 
and maintain the health of millions of individuals in the United 
States.
  May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. Using the theme ``Nursing: 
Healthcare With a Human Touch,'' the American Nurses Association and 
its 53 consitutent associations will spend this week highlighting the 
diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest health care 
profession, are working to improve health care.
  From acute bedside nursing to long term care, the depth and breadth 
of the nursing profession is rising to meet the challenges of the 
different and emerging health care needs of the American population in 
a whole new range of settings. Registered nurses' education and 
holistic approach is especially suited to meet the renewed emphasis on 
primary and preventive health care in the managed care environment. And 
with an aging American population, the demand for registered nursing 
services in the home care field will be greater than ever.
  National Nurses Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, 
and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder 
of nursing as a modern profession. Nurses, as a rule, do not work in 
plush or serene environments. Indeed, they often work long hours at 
relatively low pay, and with far fewer thanks for their dedicated work.
  During this week, I would like to ask all my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the registered nurses who care for all of us and, further, 
celebrate the registered nursing professions' continuing commitment to 
improve the safety and quality of patient care and availability of 
health care services for all in our health care system.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I note that as a registered nurse myself, I 
am proud to be associated with a group of individuals who exemplify the 
highest qualities of selflessness, compassion and concern for others.

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