A concurrent resolution celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps.
- Bill Number
- S.Con.Res. 27
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-12: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-17T18:17:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 27) aims to honor and celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps, recognizing its historical contributions to the U.S. military and the nation's service members. It highlights the corps' role in providing healthcare during conflicts and expresses gratitude for their service.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes several "Whereas" clauses providing historical background:
- Established on February 2, 1901, as the first formal entry of nurses (and women) into the U.S. military.
- Builds on decades of volunteer nursing by American women, starting from the Revolutionary War, with notable figures like Dorothea Dix and Harriet Tubman during the Civil War.
- Details service in major conflicts, including World Wars I and II (e.g., over 10,000 nurses in WWI, landings in North Africa, Italy, Normandy, and Pacific islands in WWII), Korean and Vietnam Wars (over 5,000 nurses providing care), and later operations in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cold War, and War on Terror.
- Notes sacrifices, such as 653 Army nurses buried in Arlington National Cemetery's "Nurses Section."
The "Resolved" section directs Congress to:
- Pay tribute to the Army Nurse Corps.
- Recognize the 125th anniversary on February 2, 2026.
- Express gratitude for their commitment to soldiers' health and well-being.
- Commend their dedication, skills, and sacrifices throughout history.
- Thank all past and present members for their selfless service.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a ceremonial concurrent resolution, not a bill that amends or creates new laws. It introduces no changes to existing statutes, regulations, or policies.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Minimal direct impact; it may foster morale within the Department of Defense and Army medical units by formally acknowledging their history.
- On citizens: Symbolic recognition that honors military families and veterans, potentially increasing public awareness of women's roles in military history.
- On international relations: None; the resolution is focused on domestic military heritage.
Overall, the impacts are primarily inspirational and commemorative, with no enforceable requirements or funding allocations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Past and present members of the Army Nurse Corps: Directly honored for their service and sacrifices.
- U.S. military and Department of Defense: Benefits from the recognition of nursing contributions to operational readiness and soldier care.
- Congress and lawmakers: Bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Senators Wicker and Merkley) highlight shared appreciation for military service.
- Veterans' organizations and military families: Indirectly affected through elevated visibility of historical nursing efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: No implications; as a concurrent resolution, it requires approval by both the Senate and House but does not need presidential signature and has no binding force under the Constitution.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support for honoring military women, potentially strengthening congressional ties with veteran communities. It underscores themes of gender inclusion in the military without advancing new policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-12: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2026-02-12: Submitted in Senate
Bill Versions
- Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps. — issued 2026-02-12 — PDF (3 pages)