[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6145-S6146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 625--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 9, 
  2018, AS ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK''

  Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. King, Mr. Brown, Mr. 
Markey, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Warren, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Jones, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Casey, Ms. 
Baldwin, and Mr. Donnelly) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 625

       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 that ensures that individuals with disabilities are--
       (1) included as a valued part of the community of the 
     individual;
       (2) supported at home, at work, and in the communities of 
     the United States; and
       (3) empowered to live with the dignity that all people of 
     the United States deserve;
       Whereas all communities have a stake in ensuring that 
     individuals with disabilities thrive through the connections 
     of the individuals to their families, friends, and 
     communities, fostered by the direct support professionals of 
     those individuals, 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 trusting 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 the environment of the 
     individuals;
       (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 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--
       (1) individuals who are receiving health care services for 
     severe chronic health conditions and individuals with 
     functional limitations; and
       (2) the successful transition of individuals from medical 
     events to post-acute care and long-term support and services;
       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--

[[Page S6146]]

          (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 2018, 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 beginning September 9, 2018, 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 individuals with disabilities and 
     their families in the United States;
       (4) commends direct support professionals for being 
     integral to the provision of long-term support and services 
     for individuals with disabilities;
       (5) encourages the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 
     Department of Labor to collect data specific to direct 
     support professionals; and
       (6) 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.

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senators 
Collins, King, Brown, Markey, Murphy, Menendez, Warren, Klobuchar, 
Blumenthal, Hassan, Jones, Van Hollen, Casey, Baldwin, and Donnelly to 
recognize the week beginning September 9th, 2018 as National Direct 
Support Professionals Recognition Week. Direct Support Professionals 
are an invaluable part of our Nation's health care system, caring for 
the most vulnerable Americans, including the chronically ill, seniors, 
and those living with a disability. With the help of Direct Support 
Professionals, these individuals can perform daily activities that many 
people take for granted, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and leaving 
the house. The work of Direct Support Professionals ensures that these 
individuals can be active participants in their communities.
  Let me share with you the experience of Euricka Stevens, a direct 
support professional who was recognized this year for her incredible 
work and dedication when she was given Maryland's Direct Support 
Professional, DSP, of the Year Award by the American Network of 
Community Options and Resources, ANCOR. It was said of Euricka that 
she, ``doesn't see limitations or disabilities. She sees a person for 
their distinctive collection of traits and strengths and frailties and 
meets them there. She listens to the person and has an uncanny knack 
for unearthing what makes them remarkable.''
  For example, there was an instance where a non-verbal individual was 
experiencing distress. Euricka was able to patiently determine that he 
was bothered by noise and calmed by sitting in a recliner. Because of 
her efforts, this individual is now able to participate in the life of 
the center, and have his needs taken care of if he is showing signs of 
discomfort.
  As Euricka's story demonstrates, the job of a direct support 
professional is not easy. The hours are often long, and the wages are 
low. The job can be physically laborious, as well as emotionally 
draining. The reward for direct support professionals, however, is that 
they are able to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and 
help fulfill the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act by 
making it possible for these Americans to participate in their 
communities to the fullest extent possible.
  In our Nation, we are incredibly fortunate to have millions of 
service-oriented individuals 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. Many Direct Support Professionals rely on public benefits, and 
some must work multiple jobs in order to provide for themselves and 
their families. 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.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and Senators Collins, King, Brown, 
Markey, Murphy, Menendez, Warren, Klobuchar, Blumenthal, Hassan, Jones, 
Van Hollen, Casey, Baldwin, and Donnelly in expressing our appreciation 
for the critically important work of our country's Direct Support 
Professionals, in thanking them for their commitment and dedication, 
and in supporting the resolution designating the week beginning 
September 9, 2018, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition 
Week.

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