S.Res. 709

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 709 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 709

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed 
from May 6 through May 12, 2026.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Barrasso, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Daines, Ms. 
Duckworth, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hickenlooper, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Justice, Mr. 
Lujan, Mr. Markey, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Peters, Mr. Risch, Mr. Rounds, Mrs. 
Shaheen, Ms. Smith, Mr. Tillis, and Ms. Warren) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, to be observed 
from May 6 through May 12, 2026.

Whereas, beginning in 1991, National Nurses Week has been celebrated annually 
from May 6, also known as ``National Recognition Day for Nurses'' 
through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of 
modern nursing;
Whereas National Nurses Week is a time of year to reflect on the important 
contributions that nurses make in providing safe, high-quality health 
care;
Whereas nurses serve on the front lines, risking their lives to treat the 
injured and sick during wartime, natural disasters, and public health 
emergencies;
Whereas nurses are known to be patient advocates, acting to protect the lives of 
individuals under their care;
Whereas nurses represent the largest single component of the health care 
profession, with an estimated population of more than 5,000,000 
registered nurses in the United States;
Whereas nurses are leading in the delivery of quality care in a transformed 
health care system that improves patient outcomes and safety;
Whereas the Future of Nursing reports of the Institute of Medicine and National 
Academy of Medicine have highlighted the need for the nursing profession 
to meet the call for leadership in a team-based delivery model;
Whereas, when nurse staffing levels increase, the risk of patient complications 
and lengthy hospital stays decrease, resulting in cost savings;
Whereas nurses are experienced researchers, and the work of nurses encompasses a 
wide scope of scientific inquiry, including clinical research, health 
systems and outcomes research, and nursing education research;
Whereas nurses provide care to all individuals across the United States;
Whereas nurses are well-positioned to provide leadership, increase access to 
nursing care throughout the United States, and improve health outcomes 
for all patients;
Whereas nurses are the cornerstone of the public health infrastructure, 
promoting healthy lifestyles and educating communities on disease 
prevention and health promotion;
Whereas nurses help inform, educate, and work closely with legislators to 
improve--

(1) the education, retention, recruitment, and practice of all nurses; 
and

(2) the health and safety of the patients for whom the nurses care;

Whereas there is a need to--

(1) strengthen nursing workforce development programs at all levels, 
including the number of doctorally prepared faculty members;

(2) support nursing education pathways, including for post-
baccalaureate nursing students; and

(3) provide education to the nurse research scientists who can develop 
new nursing care models to improve the health status of all populations of 
the United States;

Whereas nurses impact the lives of the people of the United States through every 
stage of life; and
Whereas nursing has been voted the most honest and ethical profession in the 
United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, 
as founded by the American Nurses Association;
(2) recognizes the significant contributions of nurses to 
the health care system of the United States; and
(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
National Nurses Week with appropriate recognition, ceremonies, 
activities, and programs to demonstrate the importance of 
nurses to the everyday lives of patients.
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