Whereas, children are the future and, by investing in them today, we are ensuring our world for tomorrow; and

Whereas, all students have a right to have their health needs safely met while in the school setting; and

Whereas, children today face more complex and life-threatening health problems requiring care in school; and

Whereas, school nurses have served a critical role in improving public health and in ensuring student's academic success for more than 100 years; and

Whereas, school nurses are professional nurses that advance the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievements of all students by serving on the frontlines and providing a critical safety net for our nation's most fragile children; and

Whereas, school nurses act as a liaison to the school community, parents, and health care providers on behalf of children's health by promoting wellness and improving health outcomes for our nation's children; and

Whereas, school nurses support the health and educational success of children and youth by providing access to care when children's cognitive development is at its peak; and

Whereas, school nurses are members of school-based mental health teams; and

Whereas, school nurses understand the link between health and learning and are in a position to make a positive difference for children every day, therefore be it

Resolved, that the National Association of School Nurses celebrates and acknowledges the accomplishments of school nurses everywhere and their efforts of meeting the needs of today's students by improving the delivery of health care in our schools and offers gratitude for the nation's school nurses, who contribute to our local communities by helping students stay healthy, in school, and ready to learn, and keeping parents and guardians at work, not just on this National School Nurse Day, but at every opportunity throughout the year.

Now, THEREFORE, I (Name), Governor of (State), do hereby proclaim May 11, 2016, as "School Nurse Day" in (State), and commend its observance to all citizens.