[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H2066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we are in the midst of 
Public Service Recognition Week, and I rise to salute the public 
servants whose hard work and determination have markedly improved the 
way government does business.
  Each May, the Public Employees Roundtable launches activities in 
cities across our Nation which highlight excellence in public service 
at the Federal, State, and local government levels. The organization 
hosts agency exhibits and demonstrations that educate the public about 
the array of programs and services that public employees provide to the 
American people.
  Activities in my own hometown were kicked off yesterday by the 
Chicago Federal Executive Board. The board held its 44th Annual 
Excellence in Federal Career Awards program at the grand ballroom at 
Navy Pier in Chicago. Thirty-one agencies submitted a total of 487 
nominations for the Board's consideration. Among the 11 first place 
Outstanding Employee or Team winners were: Lynn Hoffstadter, a manager 
with the Department of Veterans Affairs, who was recognized as an 
outstanding supervisor for leading Hines Veterans Administration 
Hospital to the highest level of accreditation that hospitals can 
receive. Michael Johnson, an employee with the U.S. Customs Service, 
was recognized as an outstanding community service employee for his 
work with the homeless and the troubled in his church. And the Chicago 
Lead Enforcement Initiative at the Environmental Protection Agency was 
awarded the Outstanding Law Enforcement Team Award for forming an 
aggressive alliance between Federal, State, and local agencies to 
protect families from the debilitating effects of lead contamination.
  Mr. Speaker, while I have only enough time to recognize a few of the 
winners, I believe that each award recipient and each person nominated 
deserves our appreciation. This past Monday the Public Employees 
Roundtable held a ceremony here on Capitol Hill and presented its 
``Breakfast of Champions'' award to representatives of exceptional 
programs at each level of government. The 2001 award winner at the 
Federal level was the Ricky Ray Program at the Department of Health and 
Human Services in Rockville, Maryland.
  Other programs receiving special recognition this year were the Ohio 
Appalachian Center for Higher Education in Portsmouth, Ohio; Hennepin 
County Adult Correctional Facility Productive Day Program in Plymouth, 
Minnesota; and the Long Beach, California, Department of Parks, 
Recreation and Marine's Public Art in Private Spaces program.
  Beginning this past Monday, and continuing through Sunday, May 13, 
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. The public is invited to come out to learn more 
about the functions of these agencies and the services that each one 
provides. There will also be a job fair and a science fair. Some of our 
military bands and other groups will provide entertainment during this 
family-oriented event.
  So, Mr. Speaker, Public Service Recognition Week offers all 
Americans, especially young people, the opportunity to learn and get 
excited about a career in public service. It also provides the 
opportunity to thank those who serve us daily for their efforts. I 
believe that public service should be valued and respected by all 
Americans, and the activities occurring this week across the Nation 
prove why. I thank all our public service employees, Mr. Speaker.

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