WHEREAS, There are more than 57,000 perianesthesia registered nurses in the United States whose interests are represented by one of our nation's premier specialty nursing organizations, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses; and
     WHEREAS, Perianesthesia nurses practice in all phases of preanesthesia and postanesthesia care, ambulatory surgery, pain management, and special procedure areas; and
     WHEREAS, The depth and breadth of the perianesthesia nursing profession meets the varied and emerging health care needs of the American population in a diversified range of environments; and
     WHEREAS, The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, as the representative for the perianesthesia nurses of this country, strives to advance nursing practice through education, research, and standards; and
     WHEREAS, Perianesthesia nursing has been established as essential in the quality of health care and safety of patients in the hospital and ambulatory surgery settings; and
     WHEREAS, The demand for perianesthesia nurses will only increase due to an aging American population, advances in medicine that are prolonging life, and the meteoric expansion of home health care services; and
     WHEREAS, The inestimable preeminent value of services and care provided by perianesthesia nurses will be of paramount importance to the American health care system; and
     WHEREAS, Along with the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN), the Northwest PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association (NPANA) has declared the week of February 4-10, 2008, as "PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week" with the theme of "Be the Voice: Advocacy Through Education, Research and Legislative Involvement" in celebration of the ways perianesthesia nurses strive to advance nursing practices;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate ask that all residents of the State of Washington honor the perianesthesia nurses who care so unselfishly and proficiently for us all; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the residents of Washington celebrate perianesthesia nurses' accomplishments and efforts to improve the quality of patient care and nursing practices, and show appreciation for our nation's perianesthesia nurses not just during the week, but at every opportunity throughout the year.