A joint resolution designating February 19 through 25, 1989, as "National Visiting Nurse Associations Week".
PL 100-493 (H.J.Res.576), enacted 10/14/1988

PUBLIC LAW 100-493—OCT. 14, 1988 
102 STAT. 2439 
Public Law 100-493 
-
100th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Designating February 19 through 25, 1989, as "National Visiting Nurse Associations 
Oct. 14, 1988 
Week". 
[H.J. Res. 576] 
Whereas Visiting Nurse Associations have served homebound 
Americans since 1885; 
Whereas such Associations annually provide home care and support 
services to nearly 1,000,000 men, women, children, and infants; 
Whereas such Associations serve 504 urban and rural communities 
in 47 States; 
Whereas such Associations adhere to high standards of quality and 
provide personalized and cost-effective home health care and 
support regardless of the individual's ability to pay; 
Whereas such Associations are voluntary in nature, independently 
operated, and community-based; 
Whereas such Associations ensure a high quality of care through 
oversight provided by professional advisory committees composed 
of local physicians and nurses; 
Whereas such Associations enable hundreds of thousands of Ameri-
cans to recover from illness and injury in the comfort and security 
of their homes; 
Whereas such Associations ensure that individuals who are chron-
ically ill or who have physical and mental handicaps receive the 
therapeutic benefits of care and support services provided in the 
home; 
Whereas in the absence of such Associations, thousands of patients 
with mental or physical handicaps or with chronically disabling 
illnesses would have to be institutionalized; 
Whereas such Associations provide a wide range of services, includ-
ing health care, hospice care, personal care, homemaking, occupa-
tional therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, friendly visiting 
services, social services, nutritional counseling, specialized nurs-
ing services, and meals on wheels; 
Whereas such Associations offer nursing care by registered nurses, 
homemaking, therapy, and social services by qualified specialists, 
and friendly visiting services by volunteers; 
Whereas in each community served by such an Association, local 
volunteers support the Association by serving on the board of 
directors, by raising funds, by visiting patients in their homes, by 
assisting patients and nurses at wellness clinics, by delivering 
meals on wheels to patients, by running errands for patients, by 
working in the Association's office, and by providing tender loving 
care; 
Whereas the need for home health care for young and old alike 
continues to grow annually; and 
Whereas on February 22, 1989, a national meeting of Visiting Nurse 
Associations from throughout the United States will be held in Ft. 
Lauderdale, Florida: Now, therefore, be it 
102 STAT. 2440 
PUBLIC LAW 100-493—OCT. 14, 1988 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That February 19 through 
25, 1989, is designated as "National Visiting Nurse Associations 
Week", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
such week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. 
Approved October 14, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 576: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
Sept. 16, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 28, considered and passed Senate.