HR0892 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0892 LRB095 14942 KXB 40887 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize the contributions of Black Nurses across the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago's four Black Nursing Associations have combined together to celebrate National Black Nurses' Day; the Honorable Charles Rangel of New York in 1988 was instrumental in getting the United States Congress to establish the first Friday in the month of February as the day to acknowledge the contributions to health care made by all Black nurses; the first celebration was held on February 3, 1989; and

WHEREAS, The four Black nursing organizations that have joined hands to celebrate National Black Nurses' Day include the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses' Association, Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority, Alpha Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Inc., and Provident Hospital Nurses' Alumni Association; the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses' Association was established in 1973 under the leadership of the late Rev. Christine Leak R.N.; its membership consists of RNs, LPNs, and student nurses; the current President is Marion Summage; and

WHEREAS, Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority was established in 1934 at Provident Hospital; this organization holds the hallmark of being the first professional Black Nursing Organization in the City of Chicago; the current Basileus is Marilyn Parker; Provident Hospital Nurses' Alumni Association consists of graduates of Provident Hospital's School of Nursing; the Alumni Association has been in existence since 1891 and the current President is Louise Hoskins Broadnax; Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. is a national nursing sorority for nurses and nursing students that was organized October 16, 1932 at Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C.; Alpha Eta Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. was established in Chicago in 1980 and the current President is Dicie Moore; and

WHEREAS, Black nurses practice in all areas of nursing, clinical, education, administrative, research, government, and private enterprise; Black nurses past and present are known for providing quality health care services and they play an integral role in delivering health care within the United States and its territories; and

WHEREAS, Since February is the month that we have set aside to honor the contributions made by Black Americans to this country, it is only fitting that Black nurses be recognized and honored for their outstanding contributions to their community and country; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim February 1, 2008 and each first Friday in February thereafter as Black Nurses Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sandra Webb-Baker, Chair of the National Black Nurses' Day Committee as a symbol of our respect.