[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E782]
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

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a 
remarkable group of dedicated health professionals--the nearly 3 
million registered nurses in the United States.
  These outstanding men and women of every race, creed and ethnic 
background will celebrate National Nurses Week May 6-12, 2001. This 
week is set aside as a special week to recognize those who have worked 
hard to save lives and maintain the health of millions of individuals. 
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, on 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.
  This year, 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 commend all of America's nurses during this week of 
May 6-12, 2001 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

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