[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 165 (Thursday, September 23, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6666-S6667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED TODAY

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed en bloc to the following Senate resolutions, which were 
submitted earlier today: S. Res. 382, S. Res. 383, S. Res. 384, and S. 
Res. 385.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolutions en bloc.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senators 
Collins, Baldwin, Blumenthal, Brown, Casey, Hassan, Kaine, King, 
Klobuchar, Markey, Menendez, Rosen, Smith, Van Hollen, and Warren to 
recognize the week beginning September 12, 2021, as National Direct 
Support Professionals Recognition Week. Direct support professionals 
are an invaluable part of our Nation's healthcare system, caring for 
the most vulnerable Americans, including the chronically ill, seniors, 
and those living with a disability. Direct support professionals 
include, among others, those whose titles include home caregiver, 
personal care assistant, home care worker, or home health aide. These 
varying titles speaks to the broad areas of support that are integral 
to the work of direct support professionals. With the assistance 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.
  The work of direct support professionals, like all of us, has changed 
due to the ongoing novel coronavirus--COVID-19--pandemic. In supporting 
their clients in performing activities of daily living, direct support 
professionals are essential and must continue to work in close 
proximity to their clients during the pandemic. Recognizing the work of 
direct support professionals is important, but all the more so as the 
pandemic continues, given their dedication to supporting the health and 
well-being of their clients.
  Let me share with you the experience of Tommy Sharrow. Tommy is a 
direct support professional who was recognized this year for his 
dedicated and selfless work when he was given Maryland's Direct Support 
Professional of the Year Award by the American Network of Community 
Options and Resources, ANCOR.

[[Page S6667]]

  I am sure there are countless examples I could share about Tommy's 
work, but I will describe one extraordinary example where he went above 
and beyond for his clients as he continued to care for them in the 
midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a particularly challenging 
period of the pandemic, Tommy's tireless dedication was on full display 
as he quarantined with his clients in their home to continue caring for 
them when others in their home were diagnosed with COVID-19. In order 
to maintain the care he provided for them, Tommy incredibly slept on an 
air mattress in their basement for 2 weeks to effectively quarantine. 
As day programs and other care options closed around his clients due to 
the pandemic, Tommy stepped in to provide creative activities like 
music and playing games in outdoor spaces. Throughout a challenging 
year for us all, Tommy was steadfast and truly considerate in his care 
for his clients.
  Tommy's story describes a career that is fulfilling, but one that 
oftentimes is not easy for direct support professionals like him. 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 country, 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 direct support professionals is 
projected to grow by an average of 33 percent from 2020 to 2030, 
compared to an 8-percent average growth rate for all occupations during 
that period. The demand will only continue to increase over time; the 
Baby Boomer generation will result in the doubling of the population of 
adults ages 65 and older by 2050. The increased demand for direct 
support professionals has created shortages in some areas, which can 
place strains on patients and their families or result in medical 
issues that could have been avoided.
  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 as we all struggle with the 
health and economic implications of the ongoing pandemic.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and Senators Collins, Baldwin, 
Blumenthal, Brown, Casey, Hassan, Kaine, King, Klobuchar, Markey, 
Menendez, Rosen, Smith, Van Hollen, and Warren 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 12, 2021, as National Direct Support Professionals 
Recognition Week.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed 
to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolutions were agreed to.
  The preambles were agreed to.
  (The resolutions, with their preambles, were printed in today's 
Record under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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