SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 35

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize January 26 through January 30, 2009, as Texas Nurse Anesthetists Week; and

WHEREAS, Nurse anesthetists were the first professional group to provide anesthesia in the United States and are the oldest recognized group of advanced practice registered nurse specialists; and

WHEREAS, These highly trained registered nurses have completed graduate-level courses and have passed a national examination to earn the title of certified registered nurse anesthetist; all graduates of nurse anesthesia educational programs receive a master's degree upon completion of the rigorous academic and clinical curriculum; and

WHEREAS, More than two-thirds of our country's rural hospitals rely on certified registered nurse anesthetists to provide anesthesia care; without these dedicated nurses, approximately 1,500 facilities would be unable to maintain trauma stabilization and surgical and obstetrical capabilities, thus forcing many rural Americans to travel long distances to receive medical care; and

WHEREAS, Every year, certified registered nurse anesthetists working in hospitals, physicians' offices, surgical centers, and governmental medical facilities provide millions of patients throughout the country with anesthesia; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st Legislature, hereby recognize January 26 through January 30 as Texas Nurse Anesthetists Week and extend appreciation to all our state's nurse anesthetists for their valuable role in providing quality health care for our citizens; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of these dedicated health care specialists.

Nelson

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 27, 2009.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate