[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 722 Introduced in House (IH)]

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114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 722

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the 
                           Federal workforce.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 10, 2016

 Ms. Norton (for herself, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
 Meeks, and Ms. Jackson Lee) submitted the following resolution; which 
    was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the 
                           Federal workforce.

Whereas thousands of civilian Federal employees have given their lives in the 
        line of duty for their country, and their families now receive United 
        States flags in their honor pursuant to bipartisan legislation;
Whereas Federal employees have supported, defended, and been indispensable to 
        the progress the United States has achieved through times of war and 
        peace, recession and prosperity, and global instability and uncertainty;
Whereas Federal employees have demonstrated outstanding productivity as 
        indicated by the decline in the Federal workforce relative to the 
        Nation's population, with 92 residents for every Federal worker in the 
        1950s and 1960s to 145 residents for every Federal worker in 2011;
Whereas approximately 80 percent of Federal workers have attended college, 
        compared with approximately 60 percent of private-sector workers;
Whereas approximately 21 percent of Federal workers hold masters, professional, 
        or doctorate degrees, compared with approximately 9 percent of private-
        sector workers;
Whereas Federal employees undertake medical research that has resulted in vital 
        discoveries and improved health due to improved vaccines, diagnoses, and 
        cures, saving lives, and enabling people in the United States to live 
        longer and healthier;
Whereas Federal employees have achieved significant new scientific advances, 
        from space exploration on Mars to biological discoveries in oceanic 
        waters;
Whereas Federal employees provide homeland security and protection for more than 
        8,000 miles of United States international land and water borders, while 
        detecting and preventing illegal activities and contraband at the 
        borders;
Whereas Federal employees prevent the entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons 
        into the United States and conduct investigations to prevent national 
        security breaches and cyber crimes;
Whereas Federal employees engage in research, development, and deployment of 
        high-level technology and other resources to protect the United States;
Whereas Federal employees ensure the safe operation of commercial and private 
        aircraft, and provide security for, and protection of, air travelers, 
        airports, and aircraft;
Whereas Federal employees prosecute white-collar and financial crimes, public 
        corruption, ethics violations, and fraud against taxpayer-supported 
        government services;
Whereas Federal employees prosecute violations of criminal laws, including 
        felonies, narcotics charges, domestic violence, and child exploitation;
Whereas Federal employees enforce Federal laws in the public interest and 
        prosecute cases in Federal courts to protect civil rights and liberties;
Whereas Federal employees provide law enforcement and police protection of 
        national borders, domestic land, and territories, and Federal buildings, 
        monuments, and parks;
Whereas Federal employees perform scientific, technical, and legal work to 
        protect copyrights, trademarks, and patents in furtherance of the United 
        States progress in technology, biosciences, and international 
        competition;
Whereas Federal employees perform research and other scientific work related to 
        environmental and life sciences management, conservation, and resource 
        utilization;
Whereas Federal employees inspect and oversee agricultural production and 
        distribution throughout the United States;
Whereas Federal employees provide medical and public health services for members 
        of the United States Armed Forces and veterans in Veterans' 
        Administration hospitals, military hospitals, and community-based 
        clinics throughout the United States;
Whereas Federal employees are responsible for many invaluable social services, 
        including Social Security, disability benefits, medical benefits, 
        housing, employment, education, transportation, substance abuse, and 
        adoption and foster care;
Whereas the United States Postal Service is entirely self-supporting and while 
        its employees do not receive Federal funding, it ensures that every 
        corner of the United States is served and connected regardless of zip 
        code, from rural letter carriers to inner-city package-delivery 
        services; and
Whereas Federal employees have been steadfast in accomplishing their 
        indispensable missions, critical to the lives and well-being of the 
        people of the United States, during the ``Great Recession'' and 
        recovery, hiring freezes, pay freezes, and sequestration under which 
        1,000,000 (or as many as 800,000) Federal employees were furloughed: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) Federal employees should be commended for their 
        tireless work and extensive efforts on behalf of the people of 
        the United States;
            (2) Federal employees further should be commended for the 
        benefits that they bring to the public welfare, to the progress 
        of democracy, and to the United States as a whole; and
            (3) Federal employees' salaries and benefits should not be 
        uniquely targeted for deficit reduction.
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