[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I wish to call attention of our colleagues 
to the annual commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week and to 
related activities occurring here in Washington this week. As I do so, 
however, I wish to take just a moment to point out that, as we 
celebrate the good news about Federal employees achievements, they have 
just received a dose of bad news from the budget negotiators who have 
agreed to cut Federal pay in order to reduce the deficit.
  I am opposed to this cut and I along with the gentleman from Maryland 
[Mr. Hoyer] have recently introduced House Resolution 71, which rejects 
it. The gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] is to be commended for his 
tireless work on behalf of Federal employees. I thank him for his 
leadership in this area.
  Mr. Speaker, each May the President's Council on Management 
Improvement and the Public Employees Roundtable launch activities in 
cities across our Nation which highlight excellence in public service 
at the Federal, State, and local government levels. The organization's 
objectives are to inform Americans about the contributions of public 
employees, to the quality of our lives, to encourage excellence in 
Government and to promote public service careers.
  Activities in my own hometown were kicked off last Friday by the 
Baltimore Federal Executive Board which held its 30th annual excellence 
in Federal career awards program at Martin's West in Baltimore County. 
Forty-one Federal agencies submitted a total of 202 nominations for the 
board's consideration. Among the 13 first-place gold award winners were 
Henry Powell, a customer service representative with the IRS who was 
recognized for community service; Mary Lisa Ward, a special agent with 
the U.S. Customs Service, who was recognized as an outstanding 
administrator; and Richard Laughlin, a quality assurance specialist at 
the Defense Contract Management Command, who was recognized as an 
outstanding technician.
  Mr. Speaker, while I only have time to call a few names out, I 
believe that each award recipient and each person nominated deserve 
recognition and our thanks. This past Monday, the Public Employees 
Roundtable held a ceremony here on Capitol Hill and presented its 
breakfast of champions awards to representatives of exceptional 
programs at each level of Government.
  Among the 1997 award winners at the Federal level were the Internal 
Revenue Service telefile program and the Department of State's Overseas 
Citizens Service. Other programs receiving special recognition this 
year were the Defense Personnel Center in Philadelphia, PA, the 
Veterans Benefits Administration in Muskogee, OK, and the U.S. Army 
Europe's foreign military interaction program.
  Beginning today, May 8, and continuing through May 11, over two dozen 
Federal agencies and employee organizations will have exhibits set up 
in large tents on the national Mall at Third and Independence Avenues 
here in Washington. The public is invited to come out to learn more 
about the functions of these agencies and the services that each 
provides. Some of our military bands and other groups will provide 
entertainment during this family oriented event.
  Mr. Speaker, Public Service Recognition Week offers all Americans, 
especially young people, the opportunity to learn more about the 
Government and the rewarding careers available. It also provides the 
opportunity to thank those who serve us daily for their efforts. I 
believe that our public service employees should be valued and 
respected by all Americans, and the activities occurring this week 
across the Nation make it crystal clear why this is so.

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