[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3708-H3711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT PUBLIC
SERVICE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SERVICE
TO THE NATION
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 213) expressing the sense of the House of
Representatives that public service employees should be commended for
their dedication and service to the Nation during Public Service
Recognition Week.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 213
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 the Nation
and in hundreds of locations abroad;
Whereas Federal, State, and local officials perform
essential services that the Nation relies upon every day;
Whereas the United States is a great and prosperous nation,
and public service employees have contributed significantly
to its greatness and prosperity;
Whereas the Nation benefits daily from the knowledge and
skills of these highly trained individuals;
Whereas public service employees--
(1) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and
terrorist attacks,
(2) fight fires and crime,
(3) deliver the mail,
(4) teach and work in our public schools,
(5) deliver Social Security and Medicare benefits,
(6) fight disease and promote better health,
(7) protect the environment and our national parks,
(8) defend and secure critical infrastructure,
(9) improve and secure transportation and the quality and
safety of our food and water,
(10) build and maintain our roads and bridges,
(11) provide vital strategic and support functions to our
military personnel,
(12) keep the Nation's economy stable,
(13) defend our freedom, and
(14) advance our Nation's interests around the world;
Whereas public service employees at the Federal, State, and
local level are our first line of defense in maintaining
homeland security;
Whereas public service employees at every level of
government are hardworking individuals who are committed to
doing a good job, regardless of the circumstances;
Whereas Federal, State, and local government employees have
risen to the occasion and demonstrated professionalism,
dedication, and courage while fighting the war against
terrorism;
Whereas the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of
the United States, as well as those Federal employees who
provide support for their efforts, contribute greatly to the
security of the Nation and of the world;
Whereas May 5 through 11, 2003, has been designated Public
Service Recognition Week 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 House of Representatives--
(1) commends America's Federal, State, and local government
employees for their outstanding contributions to our country;
(2) salutes this Nation's public service employees for
their unwavering dedication and spirit;
(3) honors those public service employees who have laid
down their lives in service to this Nation;
[[Page H3709]]
(4) calls upon a new generation of workers to consider a
career in public service; and
(5) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at
all levels of government.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).
General Leave
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis), my distinguished colleague
and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency
Reorganization, has introduced House Resolution 213, and I am pleased
to join with him today in support. This legislation expresses the sense
of the House of Representatives that public service employees should be
commended for their dedication and service to the Nation during Public
Service Recognition Week.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all my colleagues in
expressing the House's tremendous gratitude and appreciation for their
fine men and women who serve our Nation as government employees. Truly
no profession is more critical to our Nation's basic operation than the
public service.
This is a very important week that offers the more than 20 million
public employees a chance to educate all Americans about the countless
ways in which government makes life better for all of us, from our
Nation's postal employees who deliver the mail to our educators who
teach our children and from our law enforcement officials who protect
us to our emergency responders who quickly and thoroughly react to
disasters. Government employees serve each and every American in
countless capacities each day. Their essential sacrifices comprise the
backbone of American society.
Today, this House salutes those men and women who work hard every day
to make America great. In addition, I have letters from both the
President and the Secretary of the Department of Defense expressing
their appreciation for the work of civil servants and I will include
them in the Record at this point.
The White House,
Washington, April 4, 2003.
I send greetings to those celebrating Public Service
Recognition Week.
Public service is vital to the American character.
Americans realize that giving something back to our
communities strengthens our country and fulfills our
obligation to serve a greater cause. Our Nation is deeply
indebted to the men and women who devote themselves to public
service through their careers.
Every day across America, government employees at the
Federal, State, and local levels carry out countless
responsibilities that help protect our homeland, maintain
critical services, ensure economic growth, and strengthen our
national security. With the creation of the Department of
Homeland Security, more than 170,000 dedicated public
servants are now tasked with the overriding mission of
protecting their fellow Americans from terrorism. These
individuals serve our citizens and help make our government
more efficient and effective.
Over the last two years, my Administration has taken
significant action to encourage public service and civic
engagement. Americans have responded with an outpouring of
kindness and volunteer service that is transforming our
Nation, one heart, one soul at a time. Through the USA
Freedom Corps, we continue to mobilize our citizens and
provide opportunities for individuals to improve their
communities by serving in local schools, libraries, police
and fire departments, places of worship, and hospitals. We
are greatful for these dedicated citizens and for all public
servants who touch lives, inspire others, and help us realize
the promise and potential of our great Nation.
Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a wonderful
week.
George W. Bush.
____
The Secretary of Defense,
The Pentagon,
Washington, DC, February 26, 2002.
Subject: Public Service Recognition Week--2002.
Since the September 11th attacks on the Pentagon and World
Trade Centers, Americans have had fresh reminders of the
importance of public service. Many public servants sacrificed
their lives on that day and since in the war on terrorism.
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) provides an
opportunity to highlight the value of public service and a
time to honor the accomplishments of the people, both
civilians and military, who serve America at all levels of
government.
This year, the week of May 6-12, 2002, has been set aside
as Public Service Recognition Week. Public observances are
planned Nationwide and large-scale displays depicting
missions of most Executive Branch agencies will be exhibited
on the national Mall in Washington, D.C. The Military
Departments and many key Defense Agencies plan to
participate.
We are proud of the role played by the Defense Department
and are delighted to showcase our national security
responsibility.
Donald Rumsfeld.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 213 rightly honors public service
employees for their essential service to our great Nation. I hope this
resolution will help to encourage a new generation of young Americans
to consider entering into a noble career in the public service, and for
these reasons I urge all Members to support the adoption of this
important resolution.
Again, I thank my distinguished colleague from Illinois for
introducing the measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
might consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Tom Davis), the chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Waxman), the ranking member, for not only cosponsoring this resolution
but also for expediting its movement to the floor. I also want to thank
the Speaker, Speaker's office, and I want to thank the gentlewoman from
Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) for the work that she does on the
Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Reorganization but also in
helping to make sure that this legislation reached the floor in time
for its presentation today. I am pleased to join with the gentleman
from Pennsylvania and I appreciate his remarks.
Public Service Recognition Week, which has been celebrated the first
Monday through Sunday in May since 1985, is an opportunity for us to
honor and celebrate the commitment of government employees. 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. When we think of public service, we think of people in the
Armed Services who protect us, people in law enforcement, people who
help the Nation recover from natural disasters, who fight fires and
crime, deliver the mail, teach and work in our public schools, deliver
Social Security and Medicare benefits, fight disease and promote better
health, protect the environment and our national parks, defend and
secure critical infrastructure, improve and secure transportation and
the quality of safety of our food and water, build and maintain our
roads and bridges, provide vital strategic and support functions to our
military personnel, keep the Nation's economy stable, defend the
freedom and advance the Nation's interests around the world.
There has been some conversation lately about interests in public
service declining, and I would hope that as young people decide upon
their careers, as they decide what it is that they would like to do
that they would take a good look at the opportunity to serve not only
themselves but to also serve their fellow citizens. So I would
encourage them to look at public careers as a way of leading meaningful
and productive lives. It is a great opportunity to be of service.
I belong to an organization that says he who would be first of all
would be servant of all, and when we serve the public we are at the
peak of service.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might
consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton),
who herself has a tremendous record of public service in this country.
[[Page H3710]]
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman not only for
yielding but for his very astute service as ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Reorganization and his
leadership on that subcommittee and on the Committee on Government
Reform.
I also want to thank my good friends the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
Tom Davis), the chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Waxman), the ranking member, for bringing this resolution forward, but
Mr. Speaker, I am sure when they originally decided to bring it forward
they did not have in mind what is about to transpire in the Committee
on Government Reform.
How perfectly ironic that we would be celebrating Public Service
Recognition Week this week to honor Federal employees when tomorrow the
Committee on Government Reform is about to mark up a bill that would
strip one-third of the Federal workforce of essentially all of their
civil service and collective bargaining rights. Let us have a big
celebration for Public Service Week.
This bill that is before us, on not a fast track but on a jet plane
for reasons that have yet to be revealed to us because we have not been
given a reason for the rush, goes well beyond the homeland security
bill that was so terribly controversial in this House and in the
Senate, and let me document what I am saying.
The bill that will be before us tomorrow sweeps away most of the
rights of the civilian employees of the Department of Defense. Pay for
performance would immediately come into now the entire workforce, but
no system for measuring performance is in place, according to the GAO,
which has said slow this train down.
The Department of Defense employees would be exempt from these
executive bargaining rights that are applicable to other agencies.
{time} 1145
Mr. Speaker, they are already exempt because the employee
representatives testified that they had not been consulted, they simply
were called in and told what was going to happen. Consultation as is
now required under the law has not taken place. They are already exempt
from the collective bargaining rights of the rest of the government.
No appeal or due process rights when you are suspended or demoted, no
right to file a sex or race discrimination complaint before the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission.
Mr. Speaker, I am a former Chair of that commission, and the notion
that the Congress would ever exempt its own workforce from race and sex
discrimination claims is almost unbelievable, but that is what this
bill does.
For reductions in workforce, there would be no need to base them on
length of service or on efficiency while you were on the job or on
performance. What does that leave, Mr. Speaker? It does leave race and
sex since an employee cannot file a complaint at the EEOC. One could
file a complaint with their agency, but we know what that means. AT&T
has discriminated against me; I will file with AT&T. DOD has
discriminated against me; and I will file with DOD, and no right for an
independent review of what is found. That is what this bill would do,
and a lot more that I do not have time to explain.
Worse, just as we see homeland security spread now to DOD, they mean
to spread what has happened in DOD to the rest of the workforce. Except
as it spread from homeland security, it got worse than it was in
homeland security. So what is the rest of the workforce to expect now?
I want to make it clear that many of us on the Committee on
Government Reform were relieved to hear that DOD was finally going to
reform itself, particularly after 9/11. Many of us believed that DOD
needed a lot of reform before 9/11; but after 9/11, it is imperative
and indispensable. The notion that reform means sweeping away the
rights of the employees is an oxymoron. There may be greater
efficiencies; I believe there are with respect to all of these matters.
But the notion of waiving them or sweeping them away in a couple of
weeks with no scrutiny is simply unthinkable.
The bill stunned the Committee on Government Reform on both sides of
the aisle. It stunned even the Committee on Armed Services, but they
are under huge pressure to pass this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I have come to the floor of course to congratulate the
employees who have shown how important they are to us, particularly
since 9/11 made us understand what perhaps we should have understood
all along, but it will not do to celebrate their service while sweeping
away their rights.
I implore every Member of the House because most Members have civil
servants in their districts to closely look at this bill and help us
slow down the jet plane that is flying away with the rights of Federal
employees even as we celebrate their service this week.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger).
Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all of the hard
work of civil servants during the Public Service Recognition Week.
As a former Baltimore County executive, I had an opportunity to work
directly with men and women who serve on the local government level.
Their commitment to excellence continues to be a great source of
inspiration. Public service employees have contributed significantly to
American greatness and prosperity. It is with pleasure that I support a
resolution commending public servants, especially our Federal
workforce, for their dedication and continued service to our Nation.
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. It is also a
time to call on a new generation to consider public service. Public
service civilian employees are critical in demonstrating that the
government workforce is a valued component to our country and to our
national security. Thanks to all those who serve at the local, State,
and Federal level.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) for all of his fine work in protecting and
enhancing the Federal civil service.
I am glad we have an opportunity to recognize the value of public
service. Normally, these resolutions come and go and nobody pays much
attention to them, but there is a particular benefit to having this
opportunity right now, as the distinguished representative, the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), explained
earlier.
This is a pivotal time in the history of the Federal workforce. It is
a time when half of that Federal workforce will be eligible to retire
within the next 3 to 5 years. Of the 2.7 million people, half of them
may retire. Many people will say, so what. Well, for those who are
going to be so blase about the importance of the Federal workforce,
then I would ask them to look at some of the other civil services
throughout the world.
They will not find any other civil service that is as incorruptible,
that is as productive, that is as responsible, as the Federal
workforce. They are not perfect, but the vast majority of them went
into the Federal civil service because they wanted to make other
people's lives better, and they remain dedicated to that purpose.
But when most of them joined the civil service, it was held in
highest esteem. In the 1960s, three-quarters of high school graduates
said they thought it would be honorable to work in public service. Now
it is about one out of 5. We have diminished the value and the prestige
of the Federal civil service, but they have not diminished their output
or their commitment.
But this, as I say, is a pivotal time because instead of trying to
attract and retain the best people into civil service, what we have
done is to come up with disincentives. The Congress has to fight every
year to get a pay raise, even equal to the current very low rate of
inflation. We have fought to protect civil servants' ability to
collectively bargain, to maintain their health benefits, affordable
health insurance; and now as the gentlewoman
[[Page H3711]]
from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) mentioned, we have perhaps
the biggest struggle: about a third of the Federal workforce, those who
work for the Department of Defense, may lose their civil service
protections.
The Pentagon's desire is to contract them out. In fact, nearly half a
million people, 425,000, are targeted throughout the Federal government
to have their job contracted out to the private sector. In some cases
that is appropriate; but in many cases it is not, and we are not going
to find the kind of dedication to public service, even professionalism
and willingness to accept in most cases less pay to be able to serve
the public.
We find that on average the difference for performing the same
function between the private sector and the Federal sector is 32
percent. It is a smaller disparity on the part of lower-paid employees.
As we move into management, the gap is wider. In terms of skilled
professionals, the gap is widest.
I think we are in danger of losing something that this country has
taken for granted. We need to reward Federal civil servants. We need to
protect their benefits and enable them to collectively bargain, and in
fact take every opportunity, such as this resolution presents us with,
to say thank you, Federal civil servants, thank you for making this the
strongest, most cohesive, most stable government in the history of
mankind. We are proud of you. We want you to stay, we want you to
maintain your commitment, and we want you to know that we appreciate
what you do.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the former
ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask all of my colleagues
to support this resolution that honors the more than 20 million
Federal, State, and local government employees for their outstanding
contributions to our country.
H. Res. 213 salutes policemen, firefighters, postal workers, public
school teachers and administrators, and those who work at government
agencies for their steadfast dedication. Likewise, the resolution
honors our men and women in the armed service who have died in service
to our great Nation.
With the attraction of higher salaries and competitive benefit
packages, it is not surprising that Federal, State, and local
governments are finding it difficult to keep a talented workforce. It
is imperative that efforts to recruit recent college graduates and
promote training opportunities for current employees are fostered.
Public service work can sometimes be difficult; but regardless of the
circumstances, these hardworking individuals are committed to doing
excellent work and to making a major difference.
The theme for the 2003 Public Service Recognition Week celebration is
``Celebrating government workers nationwide.'' Ironically, this week,
instead of celebrating government workers nationwide, the Committee on
Government Reform is scheduled to push through a Department of Defense
proposal later today that creates a new personnel system and could have
far-reaching implications to Federal employees not only with DOD, but
at other agencies.
The proposal and others like it must be carefully weighed with
consultation by all affected parties, including organizations that
represent employees. Again, I encourage all Members of the House to
support H. Res. 213. It has been said that service to others is the
rent you pay for the room you occupy on Earth.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the millions of Americans who have chosen public
service careers. Their service makes life better, and their service
brings life to life.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank all Members who have spoken, and I thank the
gentleman from Pennsylvania. In closing, let me just suggest that we
have heard some of the issues surrounding continuation of the civil
service. We have heard some of the problems and complexities of working
for government. We have heard about some things that we must do if we
are to retain the type of workforce that we desire to have.
I want to thank all of those who continue to work, who continue to
make our civil service the very best in the country, who each and every
day give of themselves for the benefit of others. Again, I thank the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1200
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I have no other speakers, but I would like to make a brief comment to
include and certainly urge all Members to support this resolution. But
as the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) has said and
others have supported, we owe a great deal to our civil servants
throughout this Nation in all walks of life. They have helped our
Nation in times of trouble and they keep our Nation running smoothly
when there are good times. We are grateful for all they do. We want to
continue to work to revise and update and work with them to make sure
that a government that needs to be fluid and dynamic and adapt to the
needs of the time can do so and look forward to their continued input
as we support them, as we see what their needs are, as we see what the
Nation's needs are in the future.
Again, I thank the gentleman from Illinois for introducing this
important legislation.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of
H. Res. 213, which expresses the sense of the House that public service
employees should be commended for their dedication and service to the
Nation during Public Service Recognition Week.
There was a time when we were taught that ``public service is a
public trust.'' That is true, but it is something more as well. In the
aftermath of September 11, it is clear that public service is the
bedrock of our Republic. Public sector employees, who have always been
vital to the efficient, effective running of the government, now find
themselves at the heart of our war on terrorism. It is the job they do
that not only improves our quality of life, but also keeps us safe from
those who would do us harm.
It is fitting that we set aside a week to recognize the indispensable
contributions of those in public service. They have chosen public
service despite the fact that the private sector could often have
offered a more lucrative career. That said, there is no reason we
should take their selflessness for granted. They still deserve our best
efforts to enhance pay and benefits, provide improved and innovative
training opportunities, and to re-examine the cultural barriers that
unfortunately persist in government that make life less than ideal for
public sector workers. In short, we must show those already in public
service that we appreciate the job they do for us. We must also show
those contemplating a career in public service that there are many
advantages and opportunities to doing so.
Mr. Speaker, only one in six college-educated Americans expresses
significant interest in working for the Federal Government. At the same
time, half of the Federal workforce will be eligible to retire within
the next 5 years. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us in Congress to
reinvigorate a culture of public service across the country. We can do
so taking the steps I have described above. As Chairman of the
Government Reform Committee, I have been working hard to craft
initiatives that will allow us to retain those employees we already
have, while attracting the best and brightest of our young people to
the public sector. I am confident we will be successful.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to take this opportunity to publicly
thank those in public service for their dedication and commitment to
our great Nation. I also want to reaffirm my commitment to giving them
the best professional opportunities and working environment possible.
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bass). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 213.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________