LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION urging the New York State Congressional deleg-
ation to support HR 3679, The National Nurse Act of 2011, or similar
legislation, designating the Chief Nurse Officer of the US Public Health
Service as the National Nurse for Public Health

WHEREAS, Our nation continues to face an epidemic of preventable condi-
tions and chronic diseases that are soaring to alarming rates; and
WHEREAS, Nurses are crucial to the promotion of preventive care and
the caring of the whole person; and
WHEREAS, Nurses are highly valued and trusted by the public, and are
often in a position to deliver educational messages to the public about
ways to improve their health and prevent disease; and
WHEREAS, The National Nurse for Public Health would act to raise
awareness of health issues and promote good health through education and
community outreach; and
WHEREAS, The National Nurse for Public Health would serve as an effec-
tive partner to the existing United States Office of the Surgeon Gener-
al; and
WHEREAS, The National Nurse for Public Health will participate in the
identification of health priorities; enhance recruitment to combat the
still serious nursing shortage; play a role when necessary to mobilize
large numbers of nurse volunteers to respond to emergencies; engage
practicing nurses and other health professionals, students and retirees
to participate in health promotion activities and replicate successful
health promotion programs; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body represents many thousands of nurses and
nurse educators across the State; and
WHEREAS, HR 3679 was introduced on December 15, 2011, in the House of
Representatives by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a nurse repres-
enting the 30th District of Texas and co-led by Representative Peter
King representing the 3rd District of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the New York State Congressional delegation be and
hereby is respectfully memorialized by this Legislative Body to support
HR 3679, known as The National Nurse Act of 2011, or similar legis-
lation, designating the CNO of the US Public Health Service as the
National Nurse for Public Health; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to each member of the Congress of the United States from the
State of New York.