[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE NURSES OF MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL ON THE OCCASION OF 
                          NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the hard-working 
nurses of Montgomery Hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania in 
anticipation of the upcoming National Nurses Week from May 6-12, 2004.
  Though National Nurses Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate all 
nurses in this country, particularly those serving in the armed forces, 
I want to specially recognize the nursing staff and nursing leadership 
of Montgomery Hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Their tireless 
commitment to providing quality care is exemplary and I want to say 
``thank you'' on behalf of the people of the Norristown area and 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
  Outside of Philadelphia, Montgomery Hospital is the oldest general 
hospital in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The original hospital was 
located in a vacant school at Powell and Basin Streets in Norristown. 
Originally named ``Charity Hospital of Montgomery County,'' the 
Hospital opened its doors on January 1, 1891 with a staff of just six. 
Today, Montgomery Hospital Medical Center occupies two city blocks in 
the heart of Norristown. It is Norristown's largest private sector 
employer with over 1,300 individuals on staff. The entire staff at 
Montgomery Hospital, including its nurses, remains committed to 
providing the highest quality of care to all their patients.
  As Montgomery Hospital has changed, so has the nursing profession. 
Nurses today require more and more training and education. Their jobs 
are also much more specialized. In fact, 49 states now allow advanced 
practice nurses to prescribe medications. In the future, as our 
healthcare systems continue to evolve, I am certain the nursing 
profession will as well. One thing is clear, nurses will play a vital 
role in the future of healthcare in America.
  Today, there are nearly 2.7 million registered nurses in the United 
States. These nurses are working every day to save lives and maintain 
the health of millions of Americans. As a profession, they are one of 
the most respected and admired for their hard work and commitment to 
their fellow citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, National Nurses Week is an appropriate way to honor the 
work of all our nation's nurses and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
this regard. And to the dedicated nurses at Montgomery Hospital, I say 
thank you for your efforts.

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