[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 14, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2299-S2300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 481--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT PUBLIC
SERVANTS SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED PUBLIC
SERVICE TO THE NATION DURING PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK, MAY 3
THROUGH 9, 2010
Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins,
Mr. Levin, Mr. Carper, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Burris, and Mr. Kaufman)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
S. Res. 481
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 our Nation's 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 3 through 9, 2010, 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
26th 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 so many of the vital 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
pleased to once again introduce a resolution honoring these employees
in celebration of Public Service Recognition Week.
Every day, Americans rely on our hardworking and talented government
employees. Public servants deliver our mail, educate our children, care
for our veterans, guard our prisons, protect our borders and
communities, and defend our country and the principles of liberty and
freedom that we hold dear. They influence the lives of people around
the world as diplomats, promoting peace, prosperity, and democracy in
conflicted regions, and providing critical assistance to developing and
impoverished communities.
Just as President John F. Kennedy did in his 1961 inaugural address,
President Obama has called on Americans to make a renewed commitment to
public service. Public Service Recognition Week allows us not only to
honor and celebrate the works of federal, state and local public
employees, but also provides an opportunity for all Americans to
explore the many possible careers in public service. Throughout the
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nation, public employees use the week to educate their fellow citizens
on how government serves them, and how government services make life
better for all of us. It is my hope that through these events, many
young professionals will decide to pursue a career in public service.
As a former teacher and a life-long public servant, I am proud to
highlight the importance of Public Service Recognition Week. The many
domestic and global challenges we face make this a critical time for
our Nation. Although we have designated a week to pay tribute to
government employees, it is also important that we honor the invaluable
service of public servants throughout the year. Our way of life--and
the strength of our country--would not exist without the work of public
employees.
This is the 26th year we have honored our public servants with Public
Service Recognition Week during the first full week of May. Each year
we use this week to recognize and honor the men and women who serve
America as federal, state, and local government employees, and commend
their dedication to serving others. I encourage my colleagues to
recognize the public servants in their states and join me in this
annual celebration.
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