[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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