[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 27, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E910]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING WESLEY JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 2017

  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
contributions of Wesley Jones of Spokane, Washington.
  The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) 
recently selected Wesley Jones as a recipient of its 2017 Direct 
Support Professional (DSP) of the Year Award for the state of 
Washington. Founded in 1970, ANCOR is a national trade association of 
more than 1,200 private providers supporting over 600,000 people with 
disabilities.
  The prestigious Direct Support Professional of the Year Award is 
given annually to outstanding individuals in each state to recognize 
the work of direct support professionals across our nation who support 
people with intellectual, developmental and other significant 
disabilities.
  Mr. Jones has created inclusive and engaging environments for the 
residents of Spokane that have increased the ability for individuals 
with disabilities to pursue autonomy and self-determination. For one 
resident, Mr. Jones identified the triggers that led to self-injurious 
behaviors and helped calm the individual by painting his room a warmer 
color, changing the light bulbs, and purchasing new linens with warmer 
hues. For a resident who struggled to leave her home, Mr. Jones worked 
to build a trusting relationship and developed her coping skills, which 
ultimately enabled her to venture outside her home.
  Direct support professionals, such as Wesley Jones, constitute the 
backbone of community supporters and services for American families and 
individuals across the country. I am proud to honor Mr. Jones for his 
valuable selfless contribution to the community of Spokane, and 
congratulate him again on receiving ANCOR's 2017 Direct Support 
Professional of the Year Award.

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