DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 6-12 AS "NATIONAL NURSES WEEK" AND 2026 AS “THE YEAR OF THE POWER OF NURSES” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Jones Giltner & Rep. Minor-Brown & Sen. Buckson & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Berry, Bolden, Bush, Carson, Dukes, Gorman, Hensley, Hilovsky, Morrison, Romer, D. Short, Shupe, Kamela Smith, Michael Smith, Snyder-Hall, Yearick; Sens. Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Mantzavinos, Pettyjohn, Seigfried, Sokola, Walsh, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 119

DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 6-12 AS "NATIONAL NURSES WEEK" AND 2026 AS “THE YEAR OF THE POWER OF NURSES” IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, licensed nurses in the United States and Delaware constitute the largest health care profession; and

WHEREAS, along with the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Delaware Nurses Association (DNA) has declared May 6-12 as Nurses Week, with the theme “The Power of Nurses,” with appreciation for nurses’ unparalleled impact and their contributions to health care, and an open invitation to celebrate #ThePowerOfNurses to enrich our lives and the world we live in; and

WHEREAS, the ANA, celebrating its 130th anniversary as the voice for nurses in this country, is working to chart a new course for a healthy nation that relies on increasing access to primary and preventive health care, and better utilization of all our nation’s nursing resources; and

WHEREAS, the DNA, celebrating its 115

th

anniversary as the voice for nurses in this state, is working to advance the nursing and healthcare workforce in pursuit of healthier lives for all residing in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, H.Res.1010 and S.Res.583 were introduced in the 119

th

U.S. Congress to recognize 2026 as “The Year of The Power of Nurses;” and

WHEREAS, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses provide unique, holistic, compassionate care for numerous Delawareans across all care delivery settings; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nurses Association (DNA), and its’ organizational affiliates, the Delaware Emergency Nurses Association, Delaware State Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, Delaware Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Black Nurses Rock Delaware Chapter, and Delaware School Nurses Association, which act to represent the interests of all licensed Delaware nurses is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all citizens; and

WHEREAS, a renewed emphasis on primary, preventative, and mental health care will require better utilization of all our country’s licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses; and

WHEREAS, professional nursing is an indispensable component in the safety and quality of care offered to all patients; and

WHEREAS, through national polls, American citizens have ranked the nursing profession as the profession with the highest ethical standards and honesty for 24 years in a row; and

WHEREAS, the demand for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses is greater now than ever before due to the aging of the population, multiple concurrent public health crises, and the continuing expansion of life-sustaining technologies; and

WHEREAS, the cost-effective, safe, and quality health care services provided by licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses will be an increasingly important component of the U.S. health care delivery system in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the week of May 6-12, 2026, be recognized as National Nurses Week to honor the licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses in Delaware who care for all residing in Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153

rd

General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the year 2026 be recognized as The Year of The Power Of Nurses.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 153

rd

General Assembly recognizes and thanks the Delaware Nurses Association for its’ 115 years of service to Delaware Nurses and all residing in Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that licensed practical nurses’, registered nurses’, and advanced practice registered nurses’ accomplishments and efforts to improve our communities and health care system be acknowledged not just during National Nurses Week, but at every opportunity throughout the year.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution designates May 6-12 as "National Nurses Week" and 2026 as “The Year of The Power of Nurses” in Delaware. This resolution also recognizes the Delaware Nurses Association for its’ 115 years of service to Delaware Nurses and all residing in Delaware.