[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 3801-3802]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL BLACK NURSES DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 15, 2013

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor, recognize, and 
celebrate the New York 25th Annual Celebration of National Black Nurses 
Day. On Friday February 22nd, the National Black Nurses Association 
recognized, honored and awarded the New York Black Nurses Association, 
Queens County Black Nurses, Caribbean American Nurses Association, 
Kappa Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority and Theta Chi Chapter 
of the Chi Eta Phi Nurses Sorority for their excellence of service and 
outstanding contributions in the field of nursing to citizens in the 
State of New York.
  The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) was organized in 1971 
under the leadership of Dr. Lauranne Sams, former Dean and Professor of 
Nursing, School of Nursing, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. 
NBNA is a non-profit organization incorporated on September 2, 1972 in 
the state of

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Ohio. NBNA represents 150,000 African American registered nurses, 
licensed vocational/practical nurses, nursing students and retired 
nurses from the USA, Eastern Caribbean and Africa, with 83 chartered 
chapters in 34 states.
  The mission of the National Black Nurses Association ``is to provide 
a forum for collective action by African American nurses to 
investigate, define and determine what the health care needs of African 
Americans are and to implement change to make available to African 
Americans and other minorities health care commensurate with that of 
the larger society.''
  In 2003, the National Black Nurses Association became one of the five 
founding organizations of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority 
Nurse Associations (NCEMNA), along with Asian American/Pacific Islander 
Nurses Association, Inc., National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses 
Association, Inc.; National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Inc.; and, 
the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. This collaboration 
gives voice to 350,000 minority nurses. Dr. Betty Smith Williams is the 
NCEMNA President and a past NBNA President.
  Its goals include support for the development of a cadre of ethnic 
nurses reflecting the nation's diversity; advocacy for culturally 
competent, accessible and affordable health care; promotion of the 
professional and educational advancement of ethnic nurses; education of 
consumers, health care professionals and policy makers on health issues 
of ethnic minority populations; development of ethnic minority nurse 
leaders in areas of health policy, practice, education and research; 
endorsement of best practice models of nursing practice, education, and 
research for minority populations.
  I was pleased to cosponsor legislation, a proposal brought forth by 
Dr. Catherine Alicia Georges, past President of the National Black 
Nurses Association and Chair of the Nursing Department at Herbert H. 
Lehman College--The City of University of New York, that resulted in 
the U.S. Congress establishing the first Friday in the month of 
February as the day to recognize the contributions to healthcare made 
by Black nurses. I have a special place in my heart for the work of 
nurses, as my own dear sister was a retired nurse and I am keenly aware 
of the role that nurses, especially Black nurses have played in 
addressing the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of all 
patients--a cornerstone of this organization. I am so very appreciative 
for the many contributions of the Black nurses to the City of New York 
and our Nation.
  Let me congratulate and salute all of this year's award trailblazers 
in the field of nursing who have contributed locally, nationally and 
internationally. Your dedication and devotion to the health needs of 
everyday Americans is most commendable and deserving of Congressional 
Recognition. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the 
Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th Anniversary of the March on 
Washington, let us also celebrate the 25th Anniversary of National 
Black Nurses Day.

                          ____________________