IV 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 336 
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning September 8, 2013, 
as ‘‘National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week’’. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 
Mr. FITZPATRICK submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning 
September 8, 2013, as ‘‘National Direct Support Profes-
sionals Recognition Week’’. 
Whereas direct support professionals, direct care workers, 
personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support 
workers, and paraprofessionals (referred to in this pre-
amble as ‘‘direct support professionals’’) are the primary 
providers of publicly funded long-term supports and serv-
ices for millions of individuals; 
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; 
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Whereas direct support professionals provide a broad range 
of support, including— 
(1) preparing meals; 
(2) managing medications; 
(3) bathing; 
(4) dressing; 
(5) helping with mobility; 
(6) providing transportation to school, work, and re-
ligious, and recreational activities; and 
(7) helping with general daily affairs; 
Whereas a direct support professional provides essential sup-
port 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; 
Whereas a direct support professional is 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 fe-
male, and many are the sole breadwinners of their fami-
lies; 
Whereas direct support professionals work and pay taxes, but 
many are impoverished and are eligible for the same Fed-
eral and State public assistance programs on which the 
individuals with disabilities served by the direct support 
professionals must depend; 
Whereas Federal and State policies, as well as the Supreme 
Court in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), assert 
the right of an individual to live in the home and commu-
nity of the individual; 
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Whereas, in 2013, the majority of direct support profes-
sionals are employed in home- and community-based set-
tings, and this trend 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; 
Whereas many direct support professionals are forced to 
leave jobs due to inadequate wages and benefits, creating 
high turnover and vacancy rates that research dem-
onstrates adversely affects the quality of support pro-
vided to individuals with disabilities; and 
Whereas the week beginning September 8, 2013, would be an 
appropriate week to designate as ‘‘National Direct Sup-
port Professionals Recognition Week’’: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Di-
rect Support Professionals Recognition Week’’; 
(2) recognizes the dedication and vital role of 
direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of 
individuals of all ages with disabilities; 
(3) appreciates the contribution of direct sup-
port professionals in supporting the needs that are 
beyond the capacities of millions of families in the 
United States; 
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(4) commends direct support professionals as 
integral in supporting 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. 
Æ 
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