Whereas, Over 117,000 registered nurses in Michigan comprise the largest group of health care professionals in the state; and,

Whereas, The development and maintenance of a vital nursing workforce in Michigan is of concern to all residents, and more registered nurses are needed to meet the increasingly complex needs of health care consumers in Michigan; and,

Whereas, Going forward, the demand for registered nurses will be greater than ever because of the aging baby boom generation, continuing expansion of life-sustaining technology, and the explosive growth of home health care services; and,

Whereas, The cost-effective, safe, and quality health care services provided by registered nurses are a critical component of Michigan's health care delivery system; and,

Whereas, National Nurses Week recognizes the ways in which registered nurses provide safe and high quality patient care in all care settings; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of May 6, 2008, as Nurses Week in Michigan, and I encourage all citizens to join in honoring the nurses who care for us.