A resolution recognizing National Nurses Week on May 6 through May 12, 2007.

Mr. President, I rise today to express my sincere appreciation for the more than 2.9 million nurses in our country. In recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6 through 12, I am pleased to introduce a resolution with Senators Mikulski and Snowe to commemorate this week and the valuable role of nurses nationwide.

Our resolution honors the contributions that nurses make day--after day--on the front lines of patient care. We do not thank nurses as often as we should. Nurses are an invaluable resource not only to our health care system but also to medical research--in health systems and outcomes, in nursing education, and in clinical settings. They serve our Nation admirably in our communities and in our military, including the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nurses do so much for our country, yet one of the biggest challenges facing our health care system today is a shortage of nurses. According to an April 2006 report by the American Hospital Association, we need approximately 118,000 registered nurses to fill vacant positions nationwide. By 2020, there will be a shortfall of more than 1 million nurses.

The problem is not a lack of interest by capable people willing to be trained. The issue is a lack of faculty to educate future nurses. Last year, nursing colleges across the Nation denied admission to more than 40,000 qualified

applicants from entry-level and graduate nursing education programs, including almost 2,000 in my State of Illinois alone. Over 71 percent of the schools surveyed cited the lack of faculty as the primary reason that qualified students were turned away. Nursing schools need the resources to teach and train a new generation of nurses and nurse educators.

This is why I introduced the Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development, or NEED, Act. This act would provide schools of nursing with grants to hire and retain new faculty, purchase educational equipment, enhance clinical laboratories, and repair and expand infrastructure--some of the very problems that keep nursing schools from enrolling additional students today.

The Illinois Nurses Association's theme for National Nurses Week this year is Working Together to Make a Difference, and when it comes to the nursing shortage, we all should adopt this theme. Strengthening nursing schools, increasing the number of graduates, and driving up the quality of care with an adequate supply of nurses depends on all of us working together.

Nurses care for us and our loved ones when we are at our most vulnerable. The difference they make in our lives, their dedication, and their enormous contributions are an important part of our country's strength.

This week--and always--we honor their efforts and thank them for all their work in keeping our Nation healthy and strong.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the HELP Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 192.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.