[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2398-S2399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 419--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT PUBLIC 
SERVANTS SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED SERVICE 
      TO THE UNITED STATES DURING PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

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

                              S. Res. 419

       Whereas the week of May 6 through 12, 2012, has been 
     designated as ``Public Service Recognition Week'' to honor 
     the employees of the Federal Government and State and local 
     governments of the United States of America;
       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 United States through 
     work at all levels of government;
       Whereas millions of individuals work in government service 
     in every city, county, and State across the United States and 
     in hundreds of cities abroad;
       Whereas public service is a noble calling involving a 
     variety of challenging and rewarding professions;
       Whereas the Federal Government and State and local 
     governments are responsive, innovative, and effective because 
     of the outstanding work of public servants;

[[Page S2399]]

       Whereas the United States is a great and prosperous 
     country, and public service employees contribute 
     significantly to that greatness and prosperity;
       Whereas the United States 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 parks of the United 
     States;
       (8) enforce laws guaranteeing equal employment opportunity 
     and healthy working conditions;
       (9) defend and secure critical infrastructure;
       (10) help the people of the United States recover from 
     natural disasters and terrorist attacks;
       (11) teach and work in our schools and libraries;
       (12) develop new technologies and explore the Earth, the 
     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 the veterans of our country;
       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 to defeat terrorism 
     and maintain homeland security;
       Whereas public servants work in a professional manner to 
     build relationships with other countries and cultures in 
     order to better represent the interests and promote the 
     ideals of the United States;
       Whereas public servants alert Congress and the public to 
     government waste, fraud, and abuse, and of 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 
     country and the world;
       Whereas public servants have bravely fought in armed 
     conflict in defense of this country 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; and
       Whereas the week of May 6 through 12, 2012, marks the 28th 
     anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of the week of May 6 through 
     12, 2012, as ``Public Service Recognition Week'';
       (2) commends public servants for their outstanding 
     contributions to this great country during Public Service 
     Recognition Week and throughout the year;
       (3) salutes government employees for their unyielding 
     dedication to and spirit for public service;
       (4) honors those government employees who have given their 
     lives in service to their country;
       (5) calls upon a new generation to consider a career in 
     public service as an honorable profession; and
       (6) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at 
     all levels of government.

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise to honor our Nation's public 
servants and once again submit a resolution recognizing our public 
servants during Public Service Recognition Week.
  This is the 28th year we will honor our public servants with Public 
Service Recognition Week during the first full week of May, this year 
from May 6 12. I am proud to once again take a moment to highlight the 
importance of the work of our public servants and to thank them for all 
that they do for this country.
  As a life-long public servant, I have worked with so many talented, 
hard-working people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. I 
have been inspired by meeting countless men and women who come to work 
every day to serve the communities and their country. Our way of life 
would not exist without the work of these admirable men and women who 
provide so many vital services to the American people, including caring 
for our wounded warriors, teaching our children, protecting our 
communities, and keeping our nation safe.
  Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity not only to 
honor those who serve, but also to hear about the wide variety of 
careers in public service. Public employees use the week to educate 
their fellow Americans about how government serves them, and how 
government services make life better for us all. It is always my hope 
that people will hear about these great opportunities to give back to 
their communities and be encouraged to consider a career in public 
service.
  While we have designated a week to pay tribute to government 
employees, it is so important that we continue to honor the work of our 
public servants throughout the year. We face many challenges both here 
at home and abroad, and our public servants play an integral role in 
moving our country forward. It is important that we do not lose sight 
of all they do to keep our country strong.
  To all the dedicated men and women currently serving our Nation, 
mahalo nui loa, thank you very much, for all that you do. I encourage 
my colleagues to join me in recognizing the public servants in their 
states.

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