IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 859 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the ‘‘International Year of the Nurse 

and the Midwife’’, as designated by the World Health Organization. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 13, 2020 

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. JOYCE of Ohio, Ms. GABBARD, Ms. 

BONAMICI, Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. SHALALA, Mr. MCKINLEY, Ms. UNDERWOOD, Ms. 

ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. WILD, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. COOPER, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. CLEAVER, and Ms. WILSON of Florida) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 

and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of the ‘‘International Year 

of the Nurse and the Midwife’’, as designated by the 

World Health Organization. 

Whereas the World Health Organization has designated 2020 

as the ‘‘International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’’; 

Whereas 2020— 

(1) marks the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing; and 

(2) is an appropriate time to reflect on the important contributions that nurses and midwives make to proVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:50 Feb 13, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR859.IH HR859

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•HRES 859 IH 

vide safe, high-quality health care in all settings across 

the United States; 

Whereas, with an estimated population of more than 

4,000,000 registered nurses in the United States and 

20,700,000 registered nurses worldwide, nurses and midwives— 

(1) represent nearly 50 percent of the global health 

workforce; and 

(2) are the largest single component of the health 

care professions; 

Whereas investing in nurses and midwives provides great 

value to communities; 

Whereas a report of the High-Level Commission on Health 

Employment and Economic Growth of the United Nations concluded that ‘‘investments in education and job 

creation in the health and social sectors result in a triple 

return of improved health outcomes, global health security, and inclusive economic growth’’; 

Whereas nurses and midwives have contributed to major 

global health achievements, including— 

(1) the eradication of smallpox; and 

(2) the dramatic reductions in maternal and child 

mortality that have occurred in many countries; 

Whereas, for the 18th consecutive year, nurses ranked first 

in the annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll 

conducted by Gallup; 

Whereas that poll found that 85 percent of the people of the 

United States rate the honesty and ethical standards of 

nurses as high or very high; 


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•HRES 859 IH 

Whereas nurses and midwives are known to be patient advocates, acting to protect the lives of the individuals under 

their care; 

Whereas nurses and midwives— 

(1) care for patients and families in every stage of 

life; 

(2) are invaluable members of the health care team; 

and 

(3) are leading in the delivery of quality care in a 

transformed health care system that improves patient 

outcomes and safety; 

Whereas better integration of the model of care used by 

nurses and midwives into health care systems is fundamental to reducing primary and maternity care provider 

shortages and improving maternal health outcomes; 

Whereas nurses and midwives are well-positioned to provide 

leadership to eliminate the health care disparities that 

exist in the United States, including the maternal health 

crisis; 

Whereas the Future of Nursing report of the Institute of 

Medicine has called for the nursing profession to meet 

the call for leadership in a team-based delivery model; 

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 culturally and ethnically competent 

care that is sensitive to the regional and community customs of individuals needing care; 

Whereas nurses are the cornerstone of the public health infrastructure, promoting healthy lifestyles and educating 


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•HRES 859 IH 

communities on disease prevention and health promotion; 

and 

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 in all communities, including rural and 

underserved communities: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of the ‘‘Inter3 national Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’’, as 

4 designated by the World Health Organization; 

5 (2) recognizes the significant contributions of 

6 nurses and midwives to the health care system in the 

7 United States; and 

8 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

9 to observe the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 

10 with appropriate recognition, ceremonies, activities, 

11 and programs to demonstrate the importance of 

12 nurses and midwives to the everyday lives of pa13 tients. 

Æ 


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