[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 186 (Monday, November 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2219-E2220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE DAMAGE TO FEDERAL WORKERS

                                 ______


                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 20, 1995

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, there have been articles written and 
statements made suggesting that since furloughed Federal workers are 
being paid that somehow they came out ahead in this shutdown ordeal.
  I find this kind of rhetoric highly offensive and an affront to the 
hundreds of thousands of hard-working, dedicated Federal workers who 
were furloughed through no fault of their own.
  How do individuals come out ahead after being demoralized with the 
label of ``non-essential?'' How do individuals come out ahead after 
their lives were put on hold because of political posturing? How do 
individuals come out ahead after they have witnessed actions that could 
have jeopardized their jobs and their future?
  Mr. Speaker, the truth is that they cannot. No Federal worker, and I 
want to say this again, no Federal worker in my district or anywhere in 
this country said, ``Please, please furlough me.'' In fact, I know that 
a number of furloughed Federal workers continued to work at home, 
realizing the importance of their work and their commitment to this 
country, even if others had forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope we learned a valuable lesson from this 
experience, and I hope that we begin serious consideration of a long-
term plan to prevent this from ever happening again. Then, and only 
then, can we say America and Federal workers came out ahead.

[[Page E 2220]]


             SECRETARY HAZEL O'LEARY, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                                 ______


                             HON. MIKE WARD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 20, 1995

  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Secretary Hazel 
O'Leary and the job she has performed at the Department of Energy. 
Under her leadership, the Department has undergone a major 
organizational transformation that has already saved money and enhanced 
Government performance.
  One step toward these goals was taken by developing a first-ever 
strategic plan, which created a framework and shared vision for the 
Department's missions in national security, energy resources, weapons 
site cleanup, and science and technology.
  A major overhaul was initiated of the Department's contracting 
practices, which will yield billions of dollars in savings through 
increased competition and performance-based contract management.
  Under Secretary O'Leary's leadership, the first independent post-cold 
war review of the Department's 10 national laboratories was 
commissioned and now the Department is aggressively implementing 
recommendations that will reduce the costs and help sustain their long 
record of scientific discovery and technological innovation. This 
action will help to ensure long-term economic growth.
  These actions and others are helping Secretary O'Leary and the 
Department of Energy to meet the goal of reducing the Department's 
budget by $14.1 billion over 5 years. This is just the kind of 
leadership that the Department of Energy, as well as all of Government 
needs to ensure efficient and productive expenditure of our tax 
dollars.

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