Macon Reporter

In a May 7 Facebook post, Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) acknowledged National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week is May 6-12. 

According to Census.gov, the end of the week coincides with the birth date of Florence Nightingale. According to the American Community Survey of 2021, there are 109,545,164 nurses in all specialties in the United States.

"Thank you, Nurses, for all that you do to keep us safe, strong, and healthy through some of our most difficult moments" Niemberg said. "We appreciate the tremendous work you do to care for others and for your perseverance, commitment, and all that you do to strengthen our healthcare system."

Nursing World provides a brief history of National Nurses Week, noting that the American Nurses Association has supported and promoted the profession since 1896. In 1954 National Nurses Week was observed from October 11 - 16. The year of the observance marked the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea. Rep. Frances P. Bolton of Ohio sponsored the bill for a nurses week. 

Apparently, a bill for a National Nurse Week was introduced in the 1955 Congress, but no action was taken. Congress discontinued its practice of joint resolutions for national weeks of various kinds. In January of 1974 the International Council of Nurses (ICN) proclaimed that May 12 would be "International Nurse Day." (May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale.) 

Since 1965, the ICN has celebrated "International Nurse Day." In February of 1974, a week was designated by the White House as National Nurse Week, and President Nixon issued a proclamation. In 1993, The ANA Board of Directors designated May 6 - 12 as permanent dates to observe National Nurses Week in 1994 and in all subsequent years.

Niemerg is in his second elected cycle. He was first elected in 2020, and is a Teutopolis native. He now lives in Dieterich in Effingham County with his wife, Trina, and two small children.