[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 8, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL NURSES WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Allow me to say happy Teachers' 
Day to every teacher and also to say that it is an honor and privilege 
to offer a resolution recognizing National Nurses Week, which is May 6 
through 12. This year's theme is ``Nurses: Caring, Leading, 
Advocating.'' Since 1994, National Nurses Week has served as an 
opportunity to recognize nurses for their hard work, patience, and 
service, as well as for their contributions to improving our Nation's 
health care system.
  Throughout my career as a registered nurse, I've had no greater 
privilege than to provide health care to those who have courageously 
served our country. As a former chief psychiatric nurse at the Veterans 
Administration Medical Center in Dallas, I know firsthand the 
importance of providing quality care to those coming home from war. 
Through Joining Forces, which is a health care and treatment program 
for military personnel that was recently launched by the Obama 
administration, more than 500 nursing schools and 150 nursing 
organizations will work together to ``meet the unique health care needs 
of servicemen and -women, veterans, and their families.''
  Nurses provide an invaluable service on a daily basis in settings 
such as hospitals, clinics, schools, workplaces, correctional 
facilities, and through their service in the military and during 
natural disasters. With over 3 million strong, nurses comprise the 
largest sector of the health care workforce, and year after year, 
nurses are voted the most trusted of all professionals. For the 12th 
time in 13 years, in a Gallup survey, nursing ranked first for honesty 
and ethical standards in 2011.
  While our country shifts toward a nationwide focus on prevention and 
promotion, I believe it is the nurses who should stand at the forefront 
of this reformation. Mr. Speaker, nurses save lives, provide critical 
care, and advocate on behalf of their patients 52 weeks a year. They 
deserve more than 1 week of recognition for their tireless work within 
health care.
  I want to thank my many congressional colleagues who cosponsor this 
bill in honoring nurses. My colleagues Congresswoman Lois Capps and 
Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy are also nurses. They have worked with 
me to promote this resolution, and they are champions of the nursing 
profession.
  This week, remember to thank nurses for the admirable and selfless 
contributions they make to our community.

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