[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 139 (Wednesday, September 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 559, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 559) designating the week of 
     September 12, 2016, as ``National Direct Support 
     Professionals Recognition Week.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I wish to ask my Senate colleagues 
to join me in designating the week of September 12, 2016, as National 
Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Direct support 
professionals--also known as DSPs--provide an invaluable service by 
caring for the most vulnerable among us, including seniors, people 
living with disabilities, and the chronically ill. Through the efforts 
of this essential health care workforce, these individuals are able to 
live, work, and fully participate in their communities.
  As our population continues to grow and age, the demand for DSPs and 
other home- and community-based services will increase commensurately 
to address evolving health care needs. Studies show that approximately 
12 million Americans currently need long-term services and supports 
LTSS, and about half of these individuals are over the age of 65. It is 
reasonable to expect that about one-half of seniors 65 years and older 
will develop a serious disability which requires LTSS. Although many 
will require care for an average of 2 years, one in seven seniors is 
expected to have care needs lasting for 5 years or more. During this 
time, most individuals prefer to be cared for in the comfort of their 
own homes, with the assistance of family caregivers and a 
multidisciplinary health care team.
  Direct support professionals are often considered to be the backbone 
of the health care provider team, ensuring that patients adhere to 
treatment plans and attend doctors' appointments and helping them 
navigate daily life. In our country, we are incredibly fortunate to 
have millions of service-oriented Americans who are willing to rise to 
the task of becoming a direct support professional. According to the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of DSPs is projected to grow 
by an average of 26 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to a 7 percent 
average growth rate for all occupations during that period. 
Unfortunately, direct support professionals are often forced to leave 
the jobs they love due to low wages and excessive, difficult work 
hours. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we work to ensure 
that these hard-working individuals have the income and emotional 
support they need and deserve.
  For these reasons, I am proud my colleagues Senators Collins, 
Portman, Brown, Blumenthal, Menendez, Grassley, Markey, King, Warren, 
and Ayotte have joined me in introducing a resolution designating the 
week of September 12 as National Direct Support Professionals 
Recognition Week. This time allows us the opportunity to celebrate 
DSPs' important work and renew our commitment to support this vital 
workforce. All Americans are entitled to equality, access, and choice, 
particularly in regards to comprehensive health care for underserved 
communities. Any concerted effort to improve care for our Nation's 
seniors, the disabled, and chronically ill must fully engage direct 
support professionals, community-based organizations, and every level 
of government.
  DSPs are highly skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate. The 
quality of home- and community-based services and overall patient 
experience truly lies in their hands. As we consider this year's 
National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, let us continue 
this bipartisan momentum to enhance our health care workforce and 
advance comprehensive health care for those in need.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 559) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

                          ____________________