[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         COAST GUARD GETS AN A

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the Government Performance Project (GPP) 
is aimed at expanding the public's understanding of management 
challenges facing the government. The GPP rates federal agencies on 
five areas: managing for results, financial management, human 
resources, information technology and, where appropriate, capital 
management. The grades are assigned by a team of scholars and 
journalists and are based on a survey and interviews with agency 
officials.
  The GPP issued its second annual report earlier this year, and twenty 
federal agencies received an average grade of B-minus. In the two years 
that the project has been underway, only two agencies have received A's 
for their performance: the Coast Guard and the Social Security 
Administration. I want to commend these agencies, particularly the 
Coast Guard, for their outstanding performance.
  No agency has more whole-heartedly committed itself to results-based 
government than has the Coast Guard. It has been working to improve its 
quality management for over ten years and has overhauled its strategic 
planning and capital asset management. Today, the Coast Guard 
represents one of the taxpayers' best investments, and as a result of 
its efforts, it has received numerous Hammer Awards.
  I want to take this opportunity to salute the hardworking men and 
women of the United States Coast Guard.

                          ____________________