[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 52 (Thursday, March 26, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S3933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 87--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, MAY 4 THROUGH 10, 
                                  2009

  Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins, 
Mr. Levin, and Mr. Carper) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs:

                               S. Res. 87

       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to recognize and promote the important 
     contributions of public servants and 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) defend our freedom and advance United States interests 
     around the world;
       (2) provide vital strategic support functions to our 
     military and serve in the National Guard and Reserves;
       (3) fight crime and fires;
       (4) ensure equal access to secure, efficient, and 
     affordable mail service;
       (5) deliver social security and medicare benefits;
       (6) fight disease and promote better health;
       (7) protect the environment and the Nation's parks;
       (8) enforce laws guaranteeing equal employment opportunity 
     and healthy working conditions;
       (9) defend and secure critical infrastructure;
       (10) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and 
     terrorist attacks;
       (11) teach and work in our schools and libraries;
       (12) develop new technologies and explore the earth, moon, 
     and space to help improve our understanding of how our world 
     changes;
       (13) improve and secure our transportation systems;
       (14) promote economic growth; and
       (15) assist active duty service members and veterans;
       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 4 through 10, 2009, 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 
     25th anniversary through job fairs, student activities, and 
     agency exhibits: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends public servants for their outstanding 
     contributions to this great Nation during Public Service 
     Recognition Week and throughout the year;
       (2) salutes government employees for 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 all generations to consider a career in 
     public service; and
       (5) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at 
     all levels of government.

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize America's public 
servants, who provide the essential services upon which this nation 
relies. As the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government 
Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, I am 
honored to introduce a resolution paying tribute to these employees in 
celebration of Public Service Recognition Week.
  This is the 25th anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week, 
which always takes place the first full week of May. It is a time set 
aside each year to honor the men and women who serve America as 
Federal, State, and local government employees, and commend their 
dedication to serving others.
  The contributions of hardworking, talented government employees 
maintain our quality of life. They protect our borders from drug and 
weapon trafficking; conduct research to prevent future epidemics; and 
bring hope to those who live in poverty. Public servants teach our 
children; protect our homes and communities; secure our public water 
systems and critical infrastructure; preserve our natural resources; 
and defend the principles of liberty and freedom that we hold dear.
  The men and women who serve in the armed forces, and the civilian 
employees who support their missions, are prime examples of public 
service. They embody the spirit of service, characterized by a 
willingness to defend this nation. Despite the many hardships of 
serving through long conflicts, these men and women serve with bravery 
and unwavering devotion. They have sacrificed their lives so that we 
might continue to be free.
  President Obama has called for action to ``encourage a renewed spirit 
of national service for this and future generations.'' While Public 
Service Recognition Week provides the opportunity to honor and 
celebrate the works of federal employees, it also serves as an 
opportunity for all Americans to explore the various careers in public 
service. Through job fairs, agency sponsored events, and special 
exhibits, Public Service Recognition Week allows the American public to 
gain a deeper appreciation of the challenging and rewarding work 
available in the government. It is my hope that through these sponsored 
events, many young professionals will decide to embrace a career as a 
public servant.
  I encourage my colleagues to recognize the hard work and the services 
provided by government employees in their states and join in this 
annual celebration.

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