[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 263--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 11, 
  2011, AS ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK''

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 263

       Whereas direct support professionals, direct care workers, 
     personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support 
     workers, and paraprofessionals (referred to in this preamble 
     as ``direct support professionals'') are the primary 
     providers of publicly-funded long term supports and services 
     for millions of individuals;
       Whereas a direct support professional must build a close, 
     trusted relationship with an individual with disabilities;
       Whereas a direct support professional assists an individual 
     with disabilities with the most intimate needs, on a daily 
     basis;
       Whereas direct support professionals provide a broad range 
     of support, including preparation of meals, helping with 
     medications, bathing, dressing, mobility, transportation to 
     school, work, religious, and recreational activities, and 
     general daily affairs;
       Whereas a direct support professional provides essential 
     support to help keep an individual with disabilities 
     connected to such individual's family and community;
       Whereas direct support professionals enable individuals 
     with disabilities to live meaningful, productive lives;
       Whereas direct support professionals are the key to 
     allowing an individual with disabilities to live successfully 
     in such individual's community, and to avoid more costly 
     institutional care;
       Whereas the majority of direct support professionals are 
     female, and many are the sole breadwinners of their families;
       Whereas direct support professionals work and pay taxes, 
     but many such professionals remain impoverished and are 
     eligible for the same Federal and State public assistance 
     programs on which the individuals with disabilities served by 
     such direct support professionals must depend;
       Whereas Federal and State policies, as well as the Supreme 
     Court, in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), assert the 
     right of an individual to live in the home and community of 
     the individual;
       Whereas, in 2011, the majority of direct support 
     professionals are employed in home and community-based 
     settings and this trend is projected to increase over the 
     decade;
       Whereas there is a documented critical and growing shortage 
     of direct support professionals in every community throughout 
     the United States; and
       Whereas many direct support professionals are forced to 
     leave jobs due to inadequate wages and benefits, creating 
     high turnover and vacancy rates that research demonstrates 
     adversely affects the quality of supports to individuals with 
     disabilities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning September 11, 2011, as 
     ``National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week'';
       (2) recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct 
     support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals 
     with disabilities of all ages;
       (3) appreciates the contribution of direct support 
     professionals in supporting the needs that reach beyond the 
     capacities of millions of families in the United States;
       (4) commends direct support professionals as integral in 
     supporting the long-term support and services system of the 
     United States; and
       (5) finds that the successful implementation of the public 
     policies of the United States depends on the dedication of 
     direct support professionals.

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