SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 271

	WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is pleased to welcome the 
registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and nursing 
students who are visiting the State Capitol as part of Nurse Days 
at the Capitol 2003; and

	WHEREAS, The 130,000 registered nurses and 70,000 licensed 
vocational nurses providing nursing care for Texans every day in 
hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies throughout 
this state are critical to the quality of health care in Texas; 
and

	WHEREAS, Nursing is one of the world's most trusted 
professions and is held in high esteem by the citizens of our 
state and nation; and

	WHEREAS, Nursing students dedicated to caring for people 
represent the future of this honorable profession; and

	WHEREAS, Texas had a shortage of nurses in 2001, which this 
legislature took significant steps to address through supporting 
increased enrollments in the nursing schools of Texas; and

	WHEREAS, Texas continues to have a critical shortage of 
nurses, which is predicted to worsen significantly over the next 
decade, and the legislature will continue its efforts to address 
this shortage, as our state will always need and value its 
nurses; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby recognize March 4 and 5, 2003, as
Nurse Days at the Capitol and welcome the nurses and nursing 
students to the State Capitol; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in 
honor of the nursing profession as an expression of high regard 
from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Janek




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 4, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate