[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY

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                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2003

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge May 7th as 
National School Nurse Day.
  There are approximately 60,000 registered nurses in public school 
systems across the country caring for more than 52 million students. 
Professional school nurses strengthen and facilitate our educational 
process by improving and protecting the health status of children and 
youth through prevention, detection and correction methods. School 
nurses work diligently in the school environment, serving not only our 
children and youth but also their teachers, community, state, and 
nation to provide valuable school health services.
  School nurses have assisted our children for many years, and The 
National Association of School Nurses, the professional organization of 
school nurses, is celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary this year.
  Frequently, the only health care attention a child receives is 
through a school nurse. Our nation's children face an increasing number 
of chronic and severe health problems, from diabetes to asthma, 
obesity, depression and other mental and physical health problems. 
School nurses assist these children with their health problems so 
children can remain in school and achieve success.
  School nurses also care for a large number of children with chronic 
and severe health problems, including children in wheelchairs, on 
ventilatory support or with special health procedures. School nurses 
provide direct services to them from initial assessment and diagnosis 
to treatment and maintenance so disabled children can learn and achieve 
academic success.
  After September 11th, school nurses had to take on additional new 
roles. If another bio-terrorism event takes place, school nurses may be 
the first health care responders that will cope with symptoms of a 
chemical, radiological or other event as well as providing the 
necessary treatments and emergency evacuations.
  School nurses are unsung heroes as they both effectively and 
efficiently meet the daily and emergency needs of the student 
populations they serve.
  Professional school nurses have touched the lives of students 
throughout our great nation for over a century, and we commend them on 
their continued contributions to the development of our young people.
  I urge all Americans to recognize the important contributions that 
school nurses make toward the health and well-being of our children and 
youth. National School Nurse Day is a wonderful way to commend them on 
their years of diligent efforts to keep our children healthy and safe 
in school.

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