[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
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

                         Wednesday, May 5, 1999

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to a 
remarkable group of dedicated health professional--the 2.6 million 
registered nurses in the United States.
  These outstanding men and women, who work hard to save lives and 
maintain the health of millions of individuals, will celebrate National 
Nurses Week, May 6-12, 1999. I believe that all Americans who have ever 
been cared for or comforted by a nurse should celebrate 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 12th.
  Using this year's theme ``Nursing: Healing from the Heart,'' the 
American Nurses Association (ANA) and its 53 constituent associations 
will highlight the diverse ways in which registered nurses, the largest 
health care profession, are working to improve health care. Studies 
show that the 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, 
1999 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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