WHEREAS, nurses in the United States constitute our nation's largest health care profession; and

WHEREAS, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession meets the different and emerging health care needs of the American population in a wide range of settings; and

WHEREAS, the American Nurses Association, celebrating its 130th anniversary as the voice for nurses in this country, is working to chart a new course for a healthy nation that relies on increasing access to primary and preventive health care, and better utilization of all our nation's nursing resources; and

WHEREAS, professional nursing is an indispensable component of the safety and quality of care of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients; and

WHEREAS, the demand for nursing services will be greater than ever because of the aging of the American population, emerging health challenges, the continuing expansion of life-sustaining technologies, and the explosive growth of home health care services; and

WHEREAS, the cost-effective, safe, and high-quality health care services provided by nurses will be an increasingly important component of the United States health care delivery system in the future; and

WHEREAS, with the theme of “The Power of Nurses,” we honor our nurses' unparalleled impact and their contributions to health care, and invite all to thank a nurse for enriching our lives and the world we live in;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved, that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the week of May 6-12, 2026 as

Nurses Week

in Maine, and I urge all residents to celebrate nurses' accomplishments and efforts to improve our health care system and show appreciation for the nation's nurses not just during this week, but at every opportunity throughout the year.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this fifth day of May Two Thousand Twenty-Six