[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS OF ARKANSAS

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                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize all the dedicated 
people at the Rainbow of Challenges in Hope, Arkansas and the South 
Arkansas Developmental Center for Children and Families, Inc. These are 
just a few of many organizations in Arkansas that are helping thousands 
of disabled individuals gain access to needed support services.
  Unfortunately, there is an increasing workforce shortage threatening 
the quality of these services available in Arkansas and throughout the 
nation. Without an adequately paid, trained and dedicated workforce, 
our nation's disabled individuals and their families face a less secure 
future. Without the necessary workforce, providers can not help our 
nation fulfill its commitment to people with disabilities as intended 
by Congress's passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  For this reason, I am a cosponsor of the Direct Support Professionals 
Fairness and Security Act of 2007 (H.R.1279). This important 
legislation would provide funds to states to enable them to increase 
the wages paid to targeted direct support professionals in providing 
services to individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid Program. 
It is essential that the House of Representatives pass this legislation 
and bring it one step closer to being signed into law.
  I applaud the work of these Arkansas organizations for taking a lead 
and coming to Washington, DC this month to advocate for improvements on 
this workforce issue. There is no better way to recognize their 
contribution to the nation than by passing this legislation.

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