Joyce proposes resolution marking 2020 as International Year of the Nurse and Midwife

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) on Feb. 13 introduced a bipartisan resolution to support the goals and ideals of the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“As the co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, and as the proud husband of a nurse, I am honored to introduce this resolution to recognize 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife,” Rep. Joyce said.

The congressman is the lead original cosponsor of House Resolution (H.Res.) 859 with sponsor U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) to recognize 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife in honor of the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, a founder of modern nursing.

“There’s a reason why nursing is the most trusted profession in America,” said Rep. Joyce. “With more than four million registered nurses in the United States, nurses are the lifeline of our nation’s health care system. I’m proud to help lead the bipartisan effort to thank these hard-working men and women for their dedication to America’s patient population and celebrate their essential contributions to the health of our nation.”

Rep. Johnson, a registered nurse, noted that the WHO “has rightfully recognized the incomparable contributions of nurses and midwives to the advancement of healthcare in our country and across the globe.”

Thus far, H.Res. 859 has garnered the support of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Board of Directors and the American Nurses Association.

Among the 18 other members who joined Rep. Joyce in cosponsoring H.Res. 859 are U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rodney Davis (R-IL).