[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5584-S5585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration en bloc of the following resolutions, 
which were submitted earlier today: S. Res. 262, S. Res. 263, S. Res. 
264, and S. Res. 265.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed 
to, the preambles be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon 
the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and any 
related statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  The resolutions, with their preambles, read as follows:

                              S. Res. 262

  Designating the week beginning on September 12, 2011, and ending on 
September 16, 2011, as ``National Health Information Technology Week'' 
 to recognize the value of health information technology in improving 
                             health quality

       Whereas healthcare information technology and management 
     systems have been recognized as essential tools for improving 
     patient care, ensuring patient safety, stopping duplicative 
     tests and paperwork, and reducing health care costs;
       Whereas the Center for Information Technology Leadership 
     has estimated that the implementation of national standards 
     for interoperability and the exchange of health information 
     would save the United States approximately $77,000,000,000 in 
     expenses relating to healthcare each year;
       Whereas Congress has made a commitment to leveraging the 
     benefits of healthcare information technology and management 
     systems, including supporting the adoption of electronic 
     health records that will help to reduce costs and improve 
     quality while ensuring the privacy of patients;
       Whereas Congress has emphasized improving the quality and 
     safety of delivery of healthcare in the United States; and
       Whereas since 2006, organizations across the United States 
     have united to support National Health Information Technology 
     Week to improve public awareness of the benefits of improved 
     quality and cost efficiency of the healthcare system that the 
     implementation of health information technology could 
     achieve: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week beginning on September 12, 2011, 
     and ending on September 16, 2011, as ``National Health 
     Information Technology Week'';
       (2) recognizes the value of information technology and 
     management systems in transforming healthcare for the people 
     of the United States; and
       (3) calls on all interested parties to promote the use of 
     information technology and management systems to transform 
     the healthcare system of the United States.

                              S. Res. 263

Designating the week beginning September 11, 2011, as ``National Direct 
                Support Professionals Recognition Week''

       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.

                              S. Res. 264

  Designating September 12, 2011, as ``National Day of Encouragement''

       Whereas negative images, stories, and influences in the 
     day-to-day lives of the people of the United States can 
     detrimentally affect

[[Page S5585]]

     their emotional well-being, interactions with others, and 
     general demeanor;
       Whereas a group of teenagers participating in a leadership 
     forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, identified a 
     lack of encouragement as one of the greatest problems facing 
     young people today;
       Whereas the youth of the United States need guidance, 
     inspiration, and reassurance to counteract this negativity 
     and to develop the qualities of character essential for 
     future leadership in the United States;
       Whereas a National Day of Encouragement would serve as a 
     reminder to counterbalance and overcome negative influences, 
     and would also provide much-needed encouragement and support 
     to others;
       Whereas, following the events of September 11, 2001, 
     thousands of people made sacrifices in order to bring help 
     and healing to the victims and their families, inspiring and 
     encouraging the people of the United States; and
       Whereas the renewed feelings of unity, hope, selflessness, 
     and encouragement that began on September 12, 2001, are the 
     same feelings that the National Day of Encouragement is meant 
     to recapture and spread: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 12, 2011, as ``National Day of 
     Encouragement'';
       (2) acknowledges the importance of encouragement and 
     positive influences in the lives of all people; and
       (3) urges the people of the United States to encourage 
     others, whether through an act of service, a thoughtful 
     letter, or words of kindness and inspiration, and by that 
     encouragement to boost the morale of all people of the United 
     States.

                              S. Res. 265

        Honoring the lifetime achievements of E. Thom Rumberger

       Whereas E. Thom Rumberger served in the United States 
     Marine Corps;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger earned a bachelor's degree, with 
     honors, and a J.D. from the University of Florida;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger was a founding partner of the law 
     firm Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, which has represented 
     multinational corporations such as American Airlines, Inc., 
     Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Toyota Motor Corporation;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger was listed in Florida Super Lawyers 
     every year from 2007 to 2010;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger was appointed Circuit Judge in the 
     18th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 1969;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger committed himself to numerous acts 
     of public service, including serving on the Federal Judicial 
     Advisory Commission of Florida and the Board of Supervisors 
     of the Spaceport Florida Authority;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger was one of the most steadfast 
     champions of the Everglades in Florida;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger served as lead counsel for the 
     Everglades Foundation since 1999;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger was instrumental in the passage of 2 
     amendments to the Florida Constitution and of section 601 of 
     the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-
     541; 114 Stat. 2680), known as the Comprehensive Everglades 
     Restoration Plan;
       Whereas Thom Rumberger was instrumental in obtaining 
     several billion dollars in funding for Everglades 
     restoration; and
       Whereas Thom Rumberger served on the Florida Governor's 
     2001 Select Task Force on Elections and the 2002 Select Task 
     Force on Election Procedures, Standards and Technology, and 
     was Chairman of the Legislature's Study Committee on Public 
     Records in 2002: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes and honors the professional success of E. 
     Thom Rumberger; and
       (2) recognizes and honors the lifelong dedication of Thom 
     Rumberger to the protection of the Florida Everglades.

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