[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3973-S3974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING PUBLIC SERVANTS DURING ``PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK''
Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to S. Res. 261, submitted earlier today by Senators Akaka,
Conrad, and others.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will state the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 261) expressing the sense of the
Senate that public servants should be commended for their
dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public
Service Recognition Week.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. AKAKA. Madam President, it is with pleasure that I support a
resolution commending public servants, especially our federal
workforce, for their dedication and continued service to the nation
during Public Service Recognition Week, which began yesterday and runs
through May 12, 2002. I am delighted to be joined in this effort by
Senators Cochran, Durbin, Levin, Lieberman, Voinovich, Collins, and
Thompson.
As my colleagues know, public service is a long and honored tradition
in the United States. Today, more than ever, our nation is faced with
challenges that affect not only our way of life, but also the security
of our country. Although we are still grappling with these changes,
there has been one steady and true beacon of hope and inspiration
through this uncertainty--our federal workforce. Their dedication,
commitment, and tireless service have contributed greatly to the
country's recovery from the tragic events of September 11th and the
anthrax attacks through the U.S. Mail.
Public Service Recognition Week represents an opportunity for us to
honor and celebrate the commitment of individuals who serve the needs
of the nation through work at all levels of government. Public Service
Recognition Week is also a time to call on a new generation to consider
public service. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on International
Security, Proliferation, and Federal Services, I am pleased that there
is renewed interest in working for the federal government. This trend
is particularly heartening given that 50 percent of our federal
workforce will be eligible to retire in the next five years. I also
wish to point out that every federal agency has a role in ensuring that
our nation is protected and that it prospers, not just those agencies
and federal employees that are directly fighting the war on terrorism.
I invite my colleagues to honor the patriotic commitment to public
service that our federal employees exemplify and to join in the federal
government's annual celebration. From May 9-12, 2002, there will be an
extensive exhibit on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., showcasing
many of our federal agencies and branches of the military, as well as
highlighting the services these agencies provide.
In addition to the Mall exhibits, I encourage my colleagues to
recognize federal employees, as well as state and local government
employees within their states, to let them know how much their work is
appreciated. Our resolution details the tremendous contributions that
our public servants make to their country and communities.
I am very proud of the men and women who serve our country, both in
and out of uniform. I urge my fellow members to use next week to thank
our federal employees for their enthusiasm and selfless dedication to
public service.
Mr. REID. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution and preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider
be laid upon the table, that any statements relating thereto be printed
in the Record, all without any intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 261) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 261
Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an
opportunity to honor and celebrate the commitment of
individuals who meet the needs of the Nation through work at
all levels of government;
Whereas over 20,000,000 men and women work in government
service in every city, county, and State across America and
in hundreds of cities abroad;
Whereas the United States of America is a great and
prosperous Nation, and public service employees have
contributed significantly to that greatness and prosperity;
Whereas Americans benefit daily from the knowledge and
skills of these highly trained individuals;
Whereas public servants--
(1) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and
terrorist attacks;
(2) fight crime and fire;
(3) deliver the mail;
(4) teach and work in the schools;
(5) deliver Social Security and Medicare benefits;
(6) fight disease and promote better health;
(7) protect the environment and national parks;
(8) improve transportation and the quality of water and
food;
(9) build and maintain roads and bridges;
(10) provide vital strategic and support functions to our
military;
(11) keep the Nation's economy stable;
(12) defend our freedom; and
(13) advance United States interests around the world;
Whereas public servants at the Federal, State, and local
level are the first line of defense in maintaining homeland
security;
Whereas for every essential service disrupted by the
terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, public servants
responded quickly and effectively, many giving their lives
for their country;
Whereas public servants demonstrated once again on
September 11, 2001, that civil servants at every level of
government are decent, hard-working men and women, committed
to doing a good job regardless of the circumstances;
Whereas America's Federal employees have risen to the
occasion and demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and
courage during the attacks of September 11, 2001, and in
their aftermath;
Whereas after September 11, 2001, thousands of Federal
employees were deployed in disaster response teams, and
government employees continue to contribute in the war on
terrorism as a part of their normal duties;
Whereas each agency has a role in ensuring that the Nation
is secure and prosperous despite renewed attention to those
agencies which are directly fighting the war on terrorism;
and
Whereas May 6 through 12, 2002, has been designated Public
Service Recognition Week
[[Page S3974]]
to honor America's Federal, State, and local government
employees; and
Whereas Public Service Recognition Week will be celebrated
through job fairs, student activities, and agency exhibits:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends government employees for their outstanding
contributions to this great Nation;
(2) salutes their unyielding dedication and spirit for
public service;
(3) honors those public servants who have given their lives
in service to their country;
(4) calls upon a new generation of workers to consider a
career in public service as an honorable profession; and
(5) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at
all levels of government.
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