P.L. 2014, jr.001 (AJR59)

A Joint Resolution designating March 30 of each year as “Doctors’ Day” in New Jersey.

Whereas, National Doctors’ Day is held March 30 each year to honor doctors for the care they provide and the contributions they have made to advance the field of medicine; and

Whereas, The first Doctors’ Day was held March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia when Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians; and

Whereas, Eudora Brown selected March 30 to commemorate the work of Dr. Crawford W. Long, who first used ether anesthesia on March, 30, 1842 in Jefferson, Georgia to make surgery painless; and

Whereas, The first Doctors’ Day was marked by the mailing of commemorative cards to the county’s physicians and their wives, and by the laying of flowers on the graves of Dr. Crawford W. Long and other deceased doctors; and

Whereas, The red carnation is commonly used as the symbolic flower for National Doctors’ Day, and signifies qualities of love, charity, sacrifice, and bravery; and

Whereas, On March 30, 1958, the United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution commemorating Doctors’ Day; and

Whereas, On October 30, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a Joint Resolution, Pub.L.101-473, designating March 30, 1991 as “National Doctors’ Day” in the United States; and

Whereas, By observing Doctors’ Day, New Jersey joins Congress and the executive in recognizing the contributions of physicians in enlarging the reservoir of scientific knowledge, increasing the number of scientific tools, and expanding the ability of health professionals to use the knowledge and tools effectively in the never-ending fight against disease; and

Whereas, Observing Doctors’ Day also recognizes physicians for the sympathy and compassion they show in maintaining the mental and physical health of our citizens, ministering to the sick, and alleviating human suffering in many different healthcare settings; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. March 30th is designated as “Doctors’ Day” in the State of New Jersey in order to recognize physicians for the care they provide and the contributions they have made to advance the field of medicine.

2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Doctors’ Day” with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates March 30 of each year as “Doctors’ Day” in order to recognize physicians for the care they provide and the contributions they have made to advance the field of medicine.

Doctors’ Day was first held on March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia when Eudora Brown Almond, wife of a prominent physician, decided to set aside a day to honor all doctors. She chose March 30 to commemorate the work of Dr. Crawford W. Long, who first used ether anesthesia on March, 30, 1842 to make surgery painless. Since 1933, Doctors’ Day has been celebrated annually across the country. Notably, in 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a Joint Resolution designating March 30, 1991 as “National Doctors Days.”

By observing Doctors’ Day, New Jersey joins Congress and the executive in recognizing the contributions of physicians in enlarging the reservoir of scientific knowledge, increasing the number of scientific tools, and expanding the ability of health professionals to use the knowledge and tools effectively in the never-ending fight against disease. Observing Doctors’ Day also recognizes physicians for the sympathy and compassion they show in maintaining the mental and physical health of our citizens, ministering to the sick, and alleviating human suffering in many different healthcare settings.

The joint resolution respectfully requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Doctors’ Day” with appropriate activities and programs.

Designates March 30 of each year as “Doctors’ Day” in New Jersey.