Whereas the World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife ; Whereas 2020— (1) marks the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing; and (2) is an appropriate time to reflect on the important contributions that nurses and midwives make to provide safe, high-quality health care in all settings across the United States; Whereas, with an estimated population of more than 4,000,000 registered nurses in the United States and 20,700,000 registered nurses worldwide, nurses and midwives— (1) represent nearly 50 percent of the global health workforce; and (2) are the largest single component of the health care professions; Whereas investing in nurses and midwives provides great value to communities; Whereas a report of the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth of the United Nations concluded that investments in education and job creation in the health and social sectors result in a triple return of improved health outcomes, global health security, and inclusive economic growth ; Whereas nurses and midwives have contributed to major global health achievements, including— (1) the eradication of smallpox; and (2) the dramatic reductions in maternal and child mortality that have occurred in many countries; Whereas, for the 18th consecutive year, nurses ranked first in the annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll conducted by Gallup; Whereas that poll found that 85 percent of the people of the United States rate the honesty and ethical standards of nurses as high or very high; Whereas nurses and midwives are known to be patient advocates, acting to protect the lives of the individuals under their care; Whereas nurses and midwives— (1) care for patients and families in every stage of life; (2) are invaluable members of the health care team; and (3) are leading in the delivery of quality care in a transformed health care system that improves patient outcomes and safety