[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 11, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 185TH BIRTHDAY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2005

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate what would have 
been the 185th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern 
nursing. This week also marks the 3rd annual National Nurses Week, 
which will be observed May 6th through May 12th.
  The 2.7 million registered nurses in the United States bear the 
primary responsibility for the care and well-being of hospital patients 
and are the largest single component of the health care profession. 
Unfortunately, our nation faces a serious shortfall in the number of 
nurses available; too few nurses are caring for too many patients. 
According to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services, 
our nation could face a shortage of 800,000 nurses by the year 2020. As 
our population ages and as health care costs continue to escalate, 
government, hospitals, and policy advocates must work together to 
combat this problem.
  The theme of National Nurses Week 2005 is Nurses: Many Roles, One 
Profession. In addition to their tireless hands-on efforts caring for 
patients, nurses are constantly involved in health education, research, 
business, and public policy. Having met with numerous nurses from the 
29th district of California, I know first hand the needs of nurses of 
America. That is why I support House Resolution 245, which will 
recognize the important contributions of nurses to the health care 
system and the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week. I ask my 
colleagues to please join me in honoring some of America's greatest 
heroes, our nurses.

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