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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Direct support professionals are the primary |
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providers of publicly funded long-term support services for |
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millions of individuals with physical and mental disabilities; and |
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WHEREAS, These highly trained caregivers build close, |
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trusted relationships with the people they serve, who rely on them |
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for assistance with their most intimate needs; their |
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responsibilities include helping clients to negotiate a broad range |
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of daily tasks, such as eating, bathing, dressing, taking |
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medications, overcoming mobility issues, and attending school, |
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work, religious, and recreational activities; and |
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WHEREAS, The essential care provided by direct support |
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professionals enables persons with disabilities to live |
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meaningful, productive lives while remaining connected to their |
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families and communities; for many, they offer a practical |
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alternative to more costly institutional services; and |
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WHEREAS, A majority of direct support professionals are |
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women, and many are the sole wage earners in their families; despite |
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working and paying taxes, a significant number of them are eligible |
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for the same federal and state public assistance on which their |
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clients depend; and |
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WHEREAS, Because of inadequate income and benefits, direct |
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support professionals are often forced to leave jobs, leading to a |
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shortage of workers that persists throughout the state; although |
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the demand for caregivers employed in homes and community-based |
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settings is continuing to grow, high turnover and vacancy rates |
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threaten to adversely affect the quality of support that |
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individuals with disabilities receive; and |
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WHEREAS, Direct support professionals enhance the lives of |
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thousands of Texans while performing a vital service to their |
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families, for whom day-to-day care may pose a challenge beyond |
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their capabilities; by observing Direct Support Professionals |
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Recognition Week, the State of Texas joins with communities across |
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the nation in extending profound thanks to those who accept this |
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demanding yet rewarding role, for their contributions are |
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indispensable to countless of their fellow citizens; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas, |
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2nd Called Session, hereby designate the week beginning September |
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8, 2013, as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week and honor |
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direct support professionals as an integral part of the long-term |
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care system of Texas. |
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Guillen |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 4 was adopted by the House on July |
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10, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 4 was adopted by the Senate on July |
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12, 2013, by a viva-voce vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |