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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of Texas Black Nurses Day on |
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March 29, 2023, serves as an opportunity to highlight the |
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contributions of Black nurses and to raise awareness of the |
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importance of diversity in the nursing profession; and |
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WHEREAS, Although the nursing workforce in the state of Texas |
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remains predominately Caucasian, the number of Black nurses in |
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Texas has grown to more closely mirror statewide demographics; |
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according to statistics compiled by the Texas Board of Nursing in |
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2019, Black nurses represent around 14 percent of the total number |
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of registered and licensed vocational nurses in Texas; Black |
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individuals also constitute over 11 percent of our state's |
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registered nurses, compared to 6.7 percent of registered nurses |
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nationwide, and further represent 17.8 percent of faculty in |
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registered nursing pre-licensure programs throughout the state; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, As Texas becomes increasingly more diverse, there is |
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a greater need for a diverse nursing workforce with the ability to |
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provide quality, culturally informed patient care to a variety of |
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populations; a growing body of research supports the benefits, |
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including improved patient care and cost savings, from having a |
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health care workforce that more closely resembles the population it |
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serves; compared to their White counterparts, Black nurses are more |
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likely to practice in underserved areas with a larger percentage of |
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Black families and are also more likely to accept patients who are |
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covered by Medicaid, thus helping to bring their communities closer |
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to achieving health equity; and |
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WHEREAS, The Black nurses of our state have earned our |
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deepest gratitude for the tremendous skill and passion they have |
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demonstrated and for their noble commitment to the health and |
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well-being of their patients, and it is indeed fitting that a |
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special day be set aside to honor them; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize March 29, 2023, as Texas Black Nurses |
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Day and commend Black nurses across the Lone Star State for the |
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compassion, expertise, and professionalism they bring to their |
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vocation. |
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Reynolds |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 459 was adopted by the House on March |
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16, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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