[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3156-H3158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1247) 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 3 through 9, 2010, and throughout the year.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1247

       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to recognize and promote the important 
     contributions of public servants and to 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 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 the interests of the 
     United States 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 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 government employees for their unyielding 
     dedication and spirit of 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 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and add any extraneous materials.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, as chairman of the House subcommittee with 
jurisdiction over the Federal workforce, postal service, and the 
District of Columbia, I am pleased to present House Resolution 1247 for 
consideration. This legislation expresses 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 and throughout the year.
  As the original sponsor of the resolution, along with my friend and 
colleague, Mr. Chaffetz of Utah, I'm proud to say that House Resolution 
1247 has the support of 60 Members of Congress. I'd like to take this 
opportunity to thank Mr. Chaffetz for jointly introducing the 
resolution with me and for his work on bringing this to the floor 
today. I'd also like to thank the Partnership for Public Service for 
their role in organizing this annual celebration week, as well as for 
their superior work promoting careers in the public sector.
  Madam Speaker, this week marks the 27th anniversary of Public Service 
Recognition Week. From May 3 through May 9, 2010, Public Service 
Recognition Week is designed to commemorate the hard work, dedication, 
and sacrifice made by our Nation's Federal, State, and local government 
employees. It's highly appropriate that we take a moment each year to 
fully appreciate the extraordinary deeds that are performed by our 
public employees throughout our country and abroad. Among other things, 
public servants fight fires and they enforce our laws; teach in our 
schools and libraries; defend our Nation; and protect the environment 
and our national parks. These individuals deserve our highest praise, 
although too often they are criticized and undervalued.
  There are millions of individuals who work in government services in 
every city, county, and State across America and in hundreds of cities 
abroad. We all benefit enormously from the hard work of these dedicated 
individuals, and I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight a 
terrific example from my own district of a good Federal employee

[[Page H3157]]

who performs on a daily basis tasks that are vital to a lot of people 
that we worry about--and that is within the Veterans Administration 
Boston health care system. The VA system is a consolidation of 
facilities which delivers high-quality patient care to our Nation's 
veterans in areas such as mental health services, occupational therapy, 
and the women's veterans' homeless programs. The employees of all of 
these centers help to ensure that our Nation's heroes receive the 
health care they deserve. In particular, Cecilia McVey, who is the 
Associate Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services at VA Boston, 
who began her Federal career in 1972, and continues to be recognized as 
a leader of the Boston VA health care system.
  Madam Speaker, our public servants are being recognized this week. I 
just want to talk about a few of them very, very briefly.
  For example, Pius Bannis works for the field office of the U.S. 
Citizenship and Immigration Service. He has worked tirelessly and 
selflessly providing assistance to Haitian orphans in the aftermath of 
the devastation of the January, 2010, earthquake.
  Sergeant Kimberly D. Munley and Sergeant Mark A. Todd, Sr., both 
civilian employees, members of AFGE, the American Federation of 
Government Employees, who responded to the shooting at Fort Hood. These 
are civilian employees but they confronted an armed gunman and also 
mass chaos. The two civilian Defense Department police officers brought 
an end to the tragic carnage and rampage at Fort Hood that killed 14 
people and wounded 43 others.
  Also, Sara Bloom, an attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office in my own 
district of Massachusetts. Sara Bloom led the legal case against one of 
the major drug manufacturers and recovered $2.3 billion on behalf of 
the American people in fines and penalties--the largest health care 
fraud settlement in the history of the United States.
  Jamie Konstas, an Intelligence Analyst at the FBI. He provided vital 
resources in the fight against commercial and sexual exploitation of 
children, which has resulted in the conviction of more than 500 
individuals and predators and the rescue of more than a thousand child 
victims.
  Also, Carl W. Pike and the Project Coronado Team. They led the 
largest strike against the La Familia Mexican drug cartel, resulting in 
more than a thousand arrests, plus the seizure of 1\1/2\ tons of 
methamphetamine and $32 million in cash.
  Also, Terry Glass and the Army Medical Support Systems Team, which 
developed a state-of-the-art medical evacuation kit to provide 
lifesaving treatment and emergency transportation to soldiers severely 
wounded by roadside bombs.
  Lastly, Robert James (RJ) Simonds, who dedicated his 20-year career 
to fighting the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, advising policymakers on the 
creation of lifesaving programs and working in developing nations to 
assure those families receive those services.
  Those are just a handful of the public servants that we recognize 
this week. They are a wonderful reflection of what a lot of people do 
every day. Madam Speaker, our public servants' hard work and dedication 
contribute significantly to the greatness and prosperity of our Nation. 
It is for this reason that, with the help the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Chaffetz) I introduce this resolution, and I urge its adoption. Public 
servants improve our lives on a daily basis. I hope this Congress will 
take the time to honor all of those who have dedicated their life to 
our country by voting in favor of House Resolution 1247.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1247, commending 
public servants for their service and dedication to our Nation during 
Public Service Recognition Week. Every day, millions of hardworking and 
highly talented Americans serve their country and help make the United 
States even stronger. As a Nation, we owe public servants everywhere 
our gratitude for the work that they do.
  Americans rely on public employees to keep us safe. Every day, men 
and women in uniform worldwide protect our freedom and allow us to live 
our lives in peace and security. When we have an emergency, we depend 
on firefighters and police officers to help us out in a dangerous and 
difficult situation. Only a few days ago, we witnessed the heroic 
actions of the Coast Guard in coming to the rescue of over 100 oil 
workers trapped on the burning Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of 
Mexico. During many natural disasters, the dedicated members of the 
National Guard leave their own families and help people and their 
communities recover and rebuild in times of peril.

                              {time}  1300

  On normal days, all American lives are enriched by public employees. 
Whether it's the postal employee who delivers our mail regardless of 
the weather or the public schoolteacher whose constant enthusiasm 
inspires our children to succeed in school, we enjoy the benefits of 
the work our public servants give us constantly.
  Much of the work of public employees we take for granted and do not 
even realize. There are people on every corner in this country who step 
up and do the right thing. Now, from time to time we hear about a 
public employee who does the wrong thing, and that usually will make 
the news, as it should, because it is not the norm. It is not regular 
for that to happen. We will highlight those. We will be vigilant in 
making sure that our public servants are doing what they're supposed to 
be doing in serving the public.
  Whether it's at the local, State, or Federal level, pubic servants 
are a significant part of the fabric of this country, and we could not 
be the great Nation that we are today without their tireless efforts on 
our behalf.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor to support this resolution today which 
commends the service of the millions of Americans who serve our country 
daily. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I also 
encourage all Americans to take some time to thank the public employees 
that they see for all they do to improve our lives and strengthen our 
country.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
1247, which commends public servants across the United States for their 
continued service to the nation during Public Service Recognition Week 
and throughout the year. This legislation honors the men and women who 
recognize that service is a solution to serious challenges and 
selflessly dedicate themselves to the betterment of communities across 
the country.
  I thank Chairman Towns for his leadership in bringing this bill to 
the floor. I also thank the sponsor of this legislation, Congressman 
Lynch, for acknowledging the importance of a strong culture of service 
in the United States.
  It is important that we continue to honor and commend the public 
servants who tirelessly dedicate their lives to serving our nation. I 
have personally witnessed the transformative power of public service in 
my own state. Last year, in California, the Corporation for National 
and Community Service helped 230,000 individuals of all ages and 
backgrounds meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase 
civic engagement through 366 projects state-wide.
  We also must honor and commend employees at all levels of government, 
many of whom dedicate the majority of their lives working to ensure 
that government is responsive, innovative, and--most importantly--
attuned to the needs of the American people. Public servants in 
government are critical to promoting and protecting the core American 
values of democracy and representation.
  Finally, we cannot forget those in the medical profession who care 
for the sick, young and old; the teachers who educate our children to 
become future leaders in our classrooms, colleges, and universities; 
the police and firefighters who protect our streets and keep us safe; 
or the construction workers who build our roads and bridges so we can 
get to work. Public service comes in many forms, all of which are 
equally vital in promoting the economic and moral strength of our 
nation.
  Madam Speaker, it is entirely fitting that applaud those who serve 
the public good--whether through their careers, community 
organizations, or on their own in their spare time--and commend them 
for their efforts improve the lives of millions of Americans.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1247.
  Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, and I want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) for 
his support on this resolution and cosponsorship. I ask my colleagues 
to

[[Page H3158]]

join us in supporting House Resolution 1247.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1247.
  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.

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