[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 47 (Monday, April 4, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2091-S2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 128--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 1 THROUGH 7,
2011
Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Levin, Mr.
Carper, and Mr. Lautenberg) submitted the following resolution; which
was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs:
S. Res. 128
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 1 through 7, 2011, 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
27th anniversary: 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 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.
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise to honor America's public
servants, who provide so many essential services that Americans rely on
every day. I am pleased to once again introduce a resolution
recognizing these employees during Public Service Recognition Week.
Public Service Recognition Week provides us with the opportunity to
honor and celebrate the works of federal, state and local public
employees--and also gives American's across the country a chance to
learn about the many possible careers in public service. As a former
teacher and a life-long public servant, I have worked alongside so many
hard-working, talented people who have dedicated their lives to serving
others. Public employees across the country use the week to educate
their fellow citizens on how government serves them and makes life
better for all of us. It is my hope that this week's events will
encourage many people, especially students and young professionals, to
consider a career in public service.
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 proud to take this moment
to highlight the importance of our public servants. This country is
facing so many challenges both here at home and abroad, and our public
servants play an integral role in moving our country forward. It is
essential that we do not lose sight of their importance and all that
they do to keep our country strong.
Our public servants are honorable men and women who provide vital
services to the American people, including teaching our children,
keeping our Nation safe, caring for our wounded warriors, guarding our
prisons, and responding to natural disasters. Our way of life would not
exist without the work of public employees.
This is the 27th year we have honored our public servants with Public
Service Recognition Week during the first week of May. 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. America's public servants deserve our gratitude
and respect and I thank them for their dedication. I encourage my
colleagues to join me in this annual
[[Page S2092]]
celebration and recognize the public servants in their states.
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