LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 6-12, 2016, as Nurses Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 6-12, 2016, as Nurses Week in the
State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Nurses
Week; and
WHEREAS, May 6th is known as National Nurses Day, and May 12th is the
birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing; and
WHEREAS, The nearly 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States
comprise our nation's largest health care profession with New York State
accounting for over 256,000 of those registered nurses; and
WHEREAS, The depth and breadth of the registered nursing profession
meets the different and emerging health care needs of the American popu-
lation in a wide range of settings; and
WHEREAS, The American Nurses Association, as the voice for the regis-
tered nurses of this country, is working to chart a new course for a
healthy nation that relies on increasing delivery of primary and preven-
tive health care; and
WHEREAS, A renewed emphasis on primary and preventive health care will
require the better utilization of all of our nation's registered nursing
resources; and
WHEREAS, Professional nursing has been demonstrated to be an indispen-
sable component in the safety and quality of care of hospitalized
patients; and
WHEREAS, The demand for registered nursing services will be greater
than ever because of the aging of the American population, the continu-
ing expansion of life-sustaining technology, and the explosive growth of
home health care services; and
WHEREAS, More qualified registered nurses will be needed in the future
to meet the increasingly complex needs of health care consumers in this
community; and
WHEREAS, The cost-effective, safe and quality health care services
provided by registered nurses will be an ever more important component
of the United States health care delivery system in the future; and
WHEREAS, Along with the American Nurses Association, the New York
State Nurses Association has declared the week of May 6-12, 2016, as
National Nurses Week with the theme being "Safety 360 Taking Responsi-
bility Together."; this theme recognizes the importance of safety in
nursing and acknowledges the strong commitment, compassion and care
nurses display in their practice and profession; and
WHEREAS, Often described as an art and a science, nursing is a profes-
sion which embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths
and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 6-12, 2016, as
Nurses Week in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to celebrate regis-
tered nursing's accomplishments and efforts to improve our health care
system and to show our appreciation for the nation's registered nurses
not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.