Resolutions Passed at House of Delegates - September 26, 2003

Alabama Nurse,  Dec 2003-Feb 2004  

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Whereas, According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, there is a strong statistical link between higher weights and risk of fatalities. The U.S. DOT states that as weights increase from 65,000 to 80,000 the risk of fatalities goes up 50%; and

Whereas, Heavier trucks require an extra axle which will be harder to steer. The third axle decreases the steer ability by requiring sideways skidding of at least one rear axle. This makes emergency maneuvers more difficult; and

Whereas, Allowing bigger trucks will worsen an already severe national problem with deteriorating, crowded highways; and

Whereas, The 2000 Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study finds that heavier trucks would actually cost the average taxpayer money for every mile traveled by a bigger truck; and

Whereas, The most common triple trailer combination would pay only 70% of its federal highway costs and heavy single trailer truck would pay as little as 50% of their share of highway costs; and

Whereas, According to a 2002 report from the U.S. DOT nationwide operation of longer combination vehicles would add $53 million in new bridge reconstruction costs. This same study noted that there would be $266 billion in lost time and extra fuel burned by auto drivers stuck in traffie because of bridge work resulting from nationwide operation of bigger & heavier trucks. Thus the total bridge cost would be $319 billion; and

Whereas, The 2002 U.S. DOT statistics revel that Alabama currently has 709 bridges (27%) in the national highway system that are in need of serious repair; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2003 ASNA House of Delegates vote to stand in opposition to increasing the length and weight of trucks; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2003 House of Delegates send a letter to each member of the Alabama Congressional Delegation expressing opposition.

Mentoring

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, Mentoring provides a joint leadership development experience for both the mentor and mentoree; and

Whereas, A mentoring relationship helps the mentoree assess personal growth and development and set realistic and modifiable goals; and

Whereas, A mentor helps the mentoree develop coping skills appropriate to their work area; and

Whereas, A mentor motivates & inspires; and

Whereas, A mentor eases the transitional experience; and

Whereas, Being a mentor can empower nurses to make a positive difference in healthcare; and

Whereas, A mentor can help develop clinical expertise that meets the health care needs of patients; therefore be it

Resolved, That ASNA provide continuing education on mentoring programs; therefore be it further

Resolved, That ASNA will serve as a resource to other organizations.

Resolved, That ASNA will serve as a partner to Alabama Organization of Nursing Leaders in promoting staff nurse/new graduate mentoring partnerships.

Alabama Nurses Disaster Preparedness Network (ANDPN)

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, Nurses have a long history of playing a key role in responding to the health needs which result from local, regional, national, and global emergencies, and