[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2008

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 1086, a resolution recognizing the designation of May 6 
through May 12, 2008 as the National Nurses Week. I commend my 
colleague Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for introducing this 
resolution and am honored to be a cosponsor of the legislation. This is 
an overdue resolution that recognizes the vital service that nurses 
provide to health of our citizens.
  I need to acknowledge that it is because of the efforts of the nurses 
that are helping the health care system to survive in its fragile 
state. It is only fitting that the end of National Nurses Week is the 
birthday of Florence Nightingale who is the founder of modem nursing 
that has initiated the blossoming of about 2,500,000 registered nurses 
in the United States.
  I would like to specifically recognize the 190,000 registered nurses 
in Texas for their unprecedented service tending to the needs of my 
State. This legislation is a testament to our Nation's ability to honor 
those that dedicate their lives to humanitarian causes.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution allows everyone to realize the 
foundational contributions that they have and continue to contribute to 
everyone. I would like to point out that everyone has interacted with a 
nurse in their lives and nurses should never be taken for granted.
  Not only does this recognition honor the servants of humanity, but 
also paves the way for inspiration and education for those that aspire 
to serve in humanitarian needs. Our Nation is facing hardship through 
the shortage of nurses and medical care is essential to the viability 
of the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for the government to recognize the 
importance of nurses in our country. I urge my colleagues to 
wholeheartedly support this resolution and other initiatives to 
properly recognize National Nurses Week.

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