SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 271

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to 
welcome the registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses who 
are visiting the State Capitol as part of Nurse Day at the Capitol 
on March 1, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, The 140,000 registered nurses and 60,000 licensed 
vocational nurses caring for Texans every day in hospitals, 
nursing homes, and home health agencies are critical to the quality
of health care provided in our state; and
	WHEREAS, There are currently 100,000 vacant positions in 
the nursing field in our country, and by the year 2020, it is 
estimated there will be a national shortage of 800,000 registered 
nurses; with the world population living longer, there are 
excellent opportunities for nursing students to obtain professional
positions in the health-care field; and
	WHEREAS, Despite the fact that hospitals and other 
employers need and would hire significantly more nurses, Texas 
nursing schools have been forced to turn away thousands of qualified
applicants because of a lack of adequate faculty positions; and
	WHEREAS, This legislature is faced with the challenge of 
finding effective ways to address this critical shortage of nurses
and of making certain that Texas nursing schools can prepare the 
number of nurses that Texas needs; and
	WHEREAS, Nurses are held in high esteem by the citizens of 
Texas, and as indicated by national polls, nursing is one of the 
nation's most trusted professions; and
	WHEREAS, The care and support nurses provide their 
patients is beyond price, and these dedicated professionals are 
indeed deserving of our respect and admiration; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby proclaim March 1, 2005, Nurse Day at the 
Capitol and commend all nurses attending this event for their 
invaluable service; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of the Resolution be prepared in 
honor of the nursing profession as an expression of high regard 
from the Texas Senate.
                                                                          Nelson




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 1, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate