Senators Whitmer, Anderson, Warren, Jones, Pappageorge, Hunter, Green, Gleason, Marleau, Hood, Hansen, Gregory, Bieda, Hopgood, Young, Smith and Johnson offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 151.

            A resolution recognizing May 6-12, 2012, as National Nurses Week.

            Whereas, May 6-12, 2012, is recognized as National Nurses Week, beginning with International Nurses Day on May 6 and ending with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, on May 12; and

            Whereas, Nurses are health care professionals who are globally recognized for their commitment to advocating for their patients and refusing to compromise their high standards for care; and

            Whereas, Nurses are respected and revered for the difficult and demanding nature of their daily work. They are trained experts who perform the very demanding job of caring for the sick and injured when they are in need of around-the-clock medical attention; and

            Whereas, These specially-trained caregivers are a vital part of the medical field for the assistance and knowledge they provide to doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other health care professionals; and

            Whereas, Consistently on the frontlines of medicine, nurses fight for safe patient care and adequate staffing to ensure patient treatment and recovery; and

            Whereas, In our public health departments, nurses help prevent the spread of communicable diseases by containing, controlling, and preventing outbreaks. They immunize our children to keep them healthy and strong so that they are able to fight off sickness and diseases; and

            Whereas, Nurses in Michigan strongly advocate for the health, safety, and human rights not only of the sick, but also of the elderly, the young, those with disabilities, the injured, the economically disadvantaged, and the most vulnerable among us; and

            Whereas, Nurses support their patients both at the bedside and beyond, working to create a world in which all people can be safe, healthy, and prosperous; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That under the leadership of the Michigan Nurses Association, registered nurses across Michigan are committed to enhancing and protecting the nursing profession; and be it further

            Resolved, That nurses be respected and promoted on a daily basis for the services and care they provide; and be it further

            Resolved, That there is no time like the present to be energized about the future of nursing, especially here in Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That in honor of the work and dedication of nurses around the world and right here in Michigan, May 10, 2012, be hereby observed as Nurses Day and May 6-12, 2012, be recognized as Nurses Week in the state of Michigan.