[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 13712-13713]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 548--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 9, 
   2012, AS ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK''

  Mr. NELSON of Nebraska (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 548

       Whereas direct support professionals, direct care workers, 
     personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support 
     workers, and paraprofessionals (referred to in this preamble 
     as ``direct support professionals'') are the primary 
     providers of publicly funded long term supports and services 
     for millions of individuals with disabilities;
       Whereas a direct support professional must build a close, 
     trusted relationship with an individual with disabilities;
       Whereas a direct support professional assists an individual 
     with disabilities with the most intimate needs on a daily 
     basis;
       Whereas direct support professionals perform a broad range 
     of activities for individuals with disabilities, including 
     preparing meals, managing medications, bathing, dressing, 
     helping with mobility, providing transportation to school, 
     work, and religious and recreational activities, and helping 
     with general daily affairs;
       Whereas a direct support professional provides essential 
     support to help keep an individual with disabilities 
     connected to the family and community of the individual;
       Whereas direct support professionals enable individuals 
     with disabilities to live meaningful, productive lives;

[[Page 13713]]

       Whereas direct support professionals are the key to 
     allowing an individual with disabilities to live successfully 
     in the community and avoid more costly institutional care;
       Whereas the majority of direct support professionals are 
     female, and many are the sole breadwinners of their families;
       Whereas, although direct support professionals work and pay 
     taxes, many are impoverished and are eligible for the same 
     Federal and State public assistance programs that individuals 
     with disabilities depend on;
       Whereas Federal policies, State policies, and the opinion 
     of the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999) 
     assert the right of an individual to live in his or her home 
     and community;
       Whereas the majority of direct support professionals are 
     employed in home and community-based settings, and the 
     percentage of direct support professionals employed in such 
     settings is projected to increase during this decade;
       Whereas there is a documented critical and growing shortage 
     of direct support professionals in every community throughout 
     the United States; and
       Whereas many direct support professionals are forced to 
     leave jobs due to inadequate wages and benefits, creating 
     high turnover and vacancy rates, which, research 
     demonstrates, adversely affects the quality of supports 
     provided to individuals with disabilities: Now, therefore, be 
     it
         Resolved, That the Senate--
         (1) designates the week beginning September 9, 2012, as 
     ``National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week'';
         (2) recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct 
     support professionals, direct care workers, personal 
     assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers, and 
     paraprofessionals (referred to in this resolution as ``direct 
     support professionals'') in enhancing the lives of 
     individuals of all ages with disabilities;
         (3) appreciates the contribution of direct support 
     professionals in serving needs that are beyond the capacity 
     of millions of families in the United States;
         (4) commends direct support professionals as integral 
     participants in the long-term support and services system of 
     the United States; and
         (5) finds that the successful implementation of the 
     public policies of the United States depends on the 
     dedication of direct support professionals.

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