[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNUAL SALUTE OF THE BLACK NURSES ASSOCIATION OF 
                   GREATER WASHINGTON D.C. AREA, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 7, 2020

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the 40th Annual Salute of the 
Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C. Area, Inc.
  The Black Nurses Association (BNA) of Greater Washington, D.C. Area 
(GWDCA), Inc., chartered in 1975, endeavors to support the mission of 
the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and provide services to 
residents in the D.C. area.
  BNA of GWDCA acts as a vehicle for cohesion and solidarity among 
Black nurses to ensure the continuity of common heritage. The BNA of 
GWDCA hosted its first Annual Salute to a Black Nurse on February 14, 
1981 at St. Elizabeths Hospital to recognize the contributions of 
nurses in the community and to celebrate Black History Month. ``The 
Salute'' has become a signature community program, where one practicing 
nurse is awarded ``Nurse of the Year'' and one nursing student is 
awarded a scholarship.
  BNA of GWDCA has a distinguished legacy of community service with a 
focus on addressing specific health problems of the Black consumer and 
health care disparities. Past programs have included participation in 
the National Black Nurses National Hypertension Project, National 
Depression Project and partnerships with the American Heart Association 
and the American Cancer Society. The association's signature community 
service project provides community-based health assessments and 
teaching through church-based and collaborative health fairs and 
partnerships with the D.C. Department of Health, Office of 
Immunizations and the Washington Hospital Center.
  Importantly, we are grateful that in response to the critical 
shortage of nurses in all areas of practice, the BNA of GWDCA's 
``Choose Nursing Project'' provides career information and mentoring in 
the field for students in D.C. area middle and high schools. As a 
chapter, BNA of GWDCA continues to carry the mission of ``Empowering 
the community through Education, Service and Caring'' and support the 
NBNA's theme, ``The Art and Science of Nursing.''
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, 
D.C. area for 45 years of working to improve the lives of D.C. 
residents and the profession of nursing.

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