STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

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Whereas, the Empire State places the highest priority on quality health care for all of our citizens and appreciates those dedicated professionals who contribute to our State and Nation’s overall system of medical care, including nearly 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States who hold many levels of expertise and proficiency; and

Whereas, representing the largest component of the statewide and nationwide health care community today, nurses fulfill some of the most challenging responsibilities and key roles within the medical care delivery system; and

Whereas, nurses are leading advocates of overall public health whose scope of work encompasses more than 75 specialized areas ranging from neonatal care to gerontology; and

Whereas, a diversely-trained group of professionals, nurses provide indispensable care in a variety of settings – including large medical centers, local hospitals, outpatient clinics, psychiatric centers, nursing homes, veterans homes, addiction treatment centers, correctional facilities, medical rehab facilities, homes for the developmentally disabled, adolescent residential and secure facilities, community facilities, schools, and private offices; and

Whereas, the annual observance of National Nurses Week coincides with May 12th – the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale – founder of modern nursing who pioneered methods of treatment for the ill, tended to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War, and developed a training school in London for the education of nurses; and

Whereas, this year’s observance of National Nurses Week celebrates the theme “Nurses: Building a Healthy America,” reflecting the high degree of commitment that nurses show as they work to promote the physical, mental and emotional well-being of people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life; and

Whereas, during this weeklong observance, we proudly join to recognize the registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners in New York State who strive to ensure positive outcomes for patients;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim May 6-12, 2009 as

NURSES WEEK

in the Empire State.

G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this fourteenth day of April in the year two thousand nine.

David A. Paterson
Governor

Lawrence Schwartz
Secretary to the Governor