[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we proceed to
Calendar No. 369, S. Res. 419.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 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.
Without objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid
upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any related
statements be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 419) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
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;
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.
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