[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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