[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 29 (Monday, February 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E134-E135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 41ST 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

                       Monday, February 15, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the 41st 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, Inc. 
(GWDCA), chartered in 1975, endeavors to support the mission of the 
National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and to 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 several nursing students are 
awarded scholarships. Meedie Bardonille RN has been selected as the 
2021 ``Nurse of the Year.''
  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 and the 
National Depression Project and partnerships with the American Heart 
Association and the American Cancer Society. BNA of GWDCA'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, BNA of GWDCA's ``Choose 
Nursing Project'' provides career information and

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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.''
  Particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, the nation understands that 
nurses are indispensable. It is more important than ever to recognize 
Black nurses, whose service has been overlooked for far too long.
  I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in 
honoring the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington, D.C. Area, 
Inc. for 46 years devoted to improving the lives of D.C. area residents 
and the profession of nursing.

                          ____________________