[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 8, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H4611-H4613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED SERVICE
TO THE NATION
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 307) expressing the sense of the House
of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their
dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service
Recognition Week, May 7 through 13, 2007.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 307
Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an
opportunity to recognize the important contributions of
public servants and
[[Page H4612]]
honor the diverse men and women who meet the needs of the
Nation through work at all levels of government;
Whereas millions of individuals work in government service
in every city, county, and State across America and in
hundreds of cities abroad;
Whereas public service is a noble calling involving a
variety of challenging and rewarding professions;
Whereas Federal, State, and local governments are
responsive, innovative, and effective because of the
outstanding work of public servants;
Whereas the United States of America is a great and
prosperous Nation, and public service employees contribute
significantly to that greatness and prosperity;
Whereas the Nation benefits daily from the knowledge and
skills of these highly trained individuals;
Whereas public servants--
(1) provide vital strategic support functions to our
military and serve in the National Guard and Reserves;
(2) fight crime and fire;
(3) ensure equal access to secure, efficient, and
affordable mail service;
(4) deliver social security and medicare benefits;
(5) fight disease and promote better health;
(6) protect the environment and the Nation's parks;
(7) enforce laws guaranteeing equal employment
opportunities and healthy working conditions;
(8) defend and secure critical infrastructure;
(9) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and
terrorist attacks;
(10) teach and work in our schools and libraries;
(11) develop new technologies and explore the earth, moon,
and space to help improve our understanding of how our world
changes;
(12) improve and secure our transportation systems;
(13) keep the Nation's economy stable; and
(14) defend our freedom and advance United States interests
around the world;
Whereas members of the uniformed services and civilian
employees at all levels of government make significant
contributions to the general welfare of the United States,
and are on the front lines in the fight against terrorism and
in maintaining homeland security;
Whereas public servants work in a professional manner to
build relationships with other countries and cultures in
order to better represent America's interests and promote
American ideals;
Whereas public servants alert Congress and the public to
government waste, fraud, abuse, and dangers to public health;
Whereas the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of
the United States, as well as those skilled trade and craft
Federal employees who provide support to their efforts, are
committed to doing their jobs regardless of the
circumstances, and contribute greatly to the security of the
Nation and the world;
Whereas public servants have bravely fought in armed
conflict in defense of this Nation and its ideals and deserve
the care and benefits they have earned through their
honorable service;
Whereas government workers have much to offer, as
demonstrated by their expertise and innovative ideas, and
serve as examples by passing on institutional knowledge to
train the next generation of public servants;
Whereas May 7 through 13, 2007, has been designated Public
Service Recognition Week to honor America's Federal, State,
and local government employees; and
Whereas Public Service Recognition Week is celebrating its
23rd anniversary through job fairs, student activities, and
agency exhibits: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends public servants for their outstanding
contributions to this great Nation during Public Service
Recognition Week and throughout the year;
(2) salutes their unyielding dedication and spirit for
public service;
(3) honors those government employees who have given their
lives in service to their country;
(4) calls upon a new generation 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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as
I might consume.
H. Res. 307 commends public servants for their outstanding
contributions to this great Nation during Public Service Recognition
Week, May 7 through May 13, 2007. This resolution salutes their
unyielding dedication and spirit of public service.
On Tuesday, April 17, 2007, I introduced this legislation in
conjunction with Senator Akaka, who introduced S. Res. 150 to honor and
celebrate the commitment of the men and women who have dedicated their
lives to serving the public.
Over 18 million individuals in cities, counties and States in America
and abroad serve our government and the American people. They perform
essential services that the Nation relies upon every day. Federal
employees from agencies like the National Institutes of Health,
National Science Foundation, and the Food and Drug Administration are
committed to promoting health, advances in research, regulating
industries, and ensuring the well-being and safety of our citizens.
The men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States as
well as the skilled trade and craft employees who support their efforts
contribute greatly to the security of our country and to the world. We
cannot thank our public servants enough for the work that they do for
their fellow citizens day in and day out.
Governments at all levels simply cannot function properly without
good employees who are committed to public service. We should be
reminded of their contributions, not just in May, but when we are
setting their pay and benefits, and by ensuring that they have the
resources they need to do their jobs.
Last Wednesday, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 150, the
companion bill to H. Res. 307, and I would urge my colleagues to do the
same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
I am extremely proud to rise today in support of H. Res. 307,
honoring the millions of dedicated public servants that serve our
Nation. Our country simply could not function without its innovative,
professional, highly trained public service employees. At all levels of
government you will find hardworking staff making our country prosper
and thrive through their contributions. The expertise and work ethic
offered by these individuals sets an honorable example for future
generations of employees. From emergency responders to librarians,
public servants span the spectrum of jobs that keep our country
efficient and safe.
Beyond the tremendous work of civilian employees and uniformed
service personnel, the members of our National Guard and Reserves are
crucial to the welfare of all U.S. citizens. They provide vital
strategic support for our Nation's military both at home and abroad.
Their tremendous accomplishments with assisting States and countries
overseas with natural disasters is to be praised.
Once again, I commend these employees for performing challenging and
oftentimes thankless jobs with honor and dedication. I appreciate them
for moving our country forward and maintaining our safety and security.
For these reasons I am thrilled to express my support for a week of
honoring these individuals.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentlelady
for her comments, and I appreciate her support of this resolution.
Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 23rd annual Public
Service Recognition Week. I am proud to be a co-chair of the
Congressional Public Service Caucus, proud to have been a federal
employee, and proud to represent in Congress a large number of my
constituents who are federal employees. These employees are a national
asset who work hard day after day with professionalism and dedication.
Federal employees are the backbone of our government. They can be
found working to find cures for diseases at the National Institutes of
Health, helping seniors with their Social Security benefits,
representing our interests overseas in the State Department, serving as
stewards of America's natural resources in the National Park Service,
helping our country defend the homeland at the Department of Defense
and at the Department of Homeland Security. These are but a few
examples of the many areas in which federal employees are serving our
country.
We must not forget those federal employees who are risking their
lives in the war against
[[Page H4613]]
terrorism. The first combat death in Afghanistan in the wake of
September 11 was CIA officer Johnny Micheal Spann, one of my
constituents. And today, Federal employees can be found throughout the
globe fighting the war against terrorism in many different ways.
The sacrifice and hard work of our federal employees, whether abroad
or at home, should never be forgotten. Federal employees deserve fair
pay--which is why I have been pleased to support pay parity for federal
employees since I have been in Congress.
They deserve adequate health care--which is why I have supported
legislation to make sure federal employees get quality health benefits.
And retired Federal employees must not be forgotten--which is why I
have supported legislation to aid Federal employees who have retired
from active service. Federal employees deserve to be honored during
Public Service Recognition Week. But we must always remember the they
are serving our country every day of the year.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 307.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________