WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman John L. Mica (R-7th District) today announced that Congress has given federal approval for $333,000 in federal support for the Bethune-Cookman University School of Nursing Renovation Project in Daytona Beach. 

            “Congress recognizes the important mission of Bethune-Cookman to educate and train nursing professionals in this vital program,” said Rep. Mica.  “The nursing industry is important to our health care industry, and with a nation-wide shortage of nurses, attracting and educating young people for this profession is important to maintaining quality health care in our country.”

            Bethune-Cookman University is a Historically Black College and University institution that is working to renovate a 37,000 sq. ft. facility to house the expansion of the School of Nursing.  The building will include Smart Classrooms, Simulation and Skills Laboratories, a Lecture Hall, Seminar and Conference Rooms, Administrative and Faculty Offices and the innovative, community focused Wellness Center. 

The federal assistance is included in a long delayed federal appropriations measure recently passed by Congress and that will be signed into law by the President today.  The funding bill had been stalled since October of last year and is not part of the stimulus package.