[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2575-S2576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 181--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 
   8 THROUGH APRIL 12, 2019, AS ``NATIONAL SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL 
                 SUPPORT PERSONNEL APPRECIATION WEEK''

  Ms. HASSAN (for herself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Casey, Ms. 
Ernst, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Murray, and 
Ms. Smith) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 181

       Whereas there are more than 1,000,000 specialized 
     instructional support personnel serving the schools and 
     students of the United States, including--
       (1) school counselors;
       (2) school social workers;
       (3) school psychologists; and
       (4) other qualified professional personnel, such as--
          (A) school nurses;
          (B) psychologists;
          (C) social workers;
          (D) occupational therapists;
          (E) physical therapists;
          (F) art therapists;
          (G) dance and movement therapists;
          (H) music therapists;
          (I) speech-language pathologists; and
          (J) audiologists;
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel provide 
     school-based prevention

[[Page S2576]]

     and early intervention services to reduce barriers to 
     learning;
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel work 
     with teachers, school leaders, and parents to ensure that all 
     students are successful in school;
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel 
     encourage multidisciplinary collaboration to promote student 
     and school success;
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel provide 
     educational, social, emotional, and behavioral interventions 
     and activities that support--
       (1) student learning; and
       (2) teaching;
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel help to 
     create environments that are safe, supportive, and conducive 
     to learning;
       Whereas safe and supportive school environments are 
     associated with improved academic performance;
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel 
     support--
       (1) student communication;
       (2) the development of social skills by students;
       (3) the physical wellness of students;
       (4) the physical development of students; and
       (5) the behavioral, emotional, and mental health of 
     students; and
       Whereas specialized instructional support personnel serve 
     all students who struggle with barriers to learning: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of April 8 through April 12, 
     2019, as ``National Specialized Instructional Support 
     Personnel Appreciation Week'';
       (2) recognizes that specialized instructional support 
     personnel implement evidence-based practices to improve 
     student outcomes;
       (3) commends--
       (A) those individuals who work as specialized instructional 
     support personnel; and
       (B) the individuals and organizations that support the 
     efforts made by specialized instructional support personnel 
     to promote and improve the availability of specialized 
     instructional support services;
       (4) encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to 
     work together to raise awareness of the importance of 
     specialized instructional support personnel in school climate 
     and education efforts;
       (5) recognizes the important role of specialized 
     instructional support personnel in efforts to improve mental 
     health, reduce drug use, and improve overall community safety 
     for students; and
       (6) encourages experts to share best practices so that 
     others can replicate the success of those experts.

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