[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 559--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2016, AS 
       ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK''

  Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Portman, Mr. Brown, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Markey, Mr. King, Ms. 
Warren, and Ms. Ayotte) submitted the following resolution; which was 
considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 559

       Whereas direct support professionals, including direct care 
     workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home 
     support workers, and paraprofessionals, are key to providing 
     publicly funded, long-term support and services for millions 
     of individuals with disabilities;
       Whereas direct support professionals provide essential 
     support to help keep individuals with disabilities connected 
     to their families, friends, and communities so as to avoid 
     more costly institutional care;
       Whereas direct support professionals support individuals 
     with disabilities by helping those individuals make person-
     centered choices that lead to meaningful, productive lives;
       Whereas direct support professionals must build close, 
     respectful, and trusted relationships with individuals with 
     disabilities;
       Whereas direct support professionals provide a broad range 
     of individualized support to individuals with disabilities, 
     including--
       (1) assisting with the preparation of meals;
       (2) helping with medication;
       (3) assisting with bathing, dressing, and other aspects of 
     daily living;
       (4) assisting with access to their environment;
       (5) providing transportation to school, work, religious, 
     and recreational activities; and
       (6) helping with general daily affairs, such as assisting 
     with financial matters, medical appointments, and personal 
     interests;
       Whereas the participation of direct support professionals 
     in medical care planning is critical to the successful 
     transition of individuals from medical events to post-acute 
     care and long-term support and services;
       Whereas there is a documented critical and increasing 
     shortage of direct support professionals throughout the 
     United States;
       Whereas direct support professionals are a critical element 
     in supporting individuals who are receiving health care 
     services for severe chronic health conditions and individuals 
     with functional limitations;
       Whereas many direct support professionals are the primary 
     financial providers for their families;
       Whereas direct support professionals are hardworking, 
     taxpaying citizens who provide an important service to people 
     with disabilities in the United States, yet many continue to 
     earn low wages, receive inadequate benefits, and have limited 
     opportunities for advancement, resulting in high turnover and 
     vacancy rates that adversely affect the quality of support, 
     safety, and health of individuals with disabilities;
       Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States, in Olmstead 
     v. L.C. by Zimring, 527 U.S. 581 (June 22, 1999)--
       (1) recognized the importance of the deinstitutionalization 
     of, and community-based services for, individuals with 
     disabilities; and
       (2) held that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 
     1990 (42 U.S. 12101 et seq.), a State must provide community-
     based services to persons with intellectual and developmental 
     disabilities if--
       (A) the community-based services are appropriate;
       (B) the affected person does not oppose receiving the 
     community-based services; and
       (C) the community-based services can be reasonably 
     accommodated after the community has taken into account the 
     resources available to the State and the needs of other 
     individuals with disabilities in the State; and
       Whereas, in 2016, the majority of direct support 
     professionals are employed in home- and community-based 
     settings and that trend will increase over the next decade: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of September 12, 2016, as 
     ``National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week'';
       (2) recognizes and appreciates the contribution, 
     dedication, and vital role of direct support professionals in 
     enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities of all 
     ages;
       (3) commends direct support professionals for being 
     integral to the provision of long-term support and services 
     for individuals with disabilities; and
       (4) finds that the successful implementation of the public 
     policies affecting individuals with disabilities in the 
     United States depends on the dedication of direct support 
     professionals.

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