[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 16, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S2688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 99--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. TESTER (for himself, Mr. Levin, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Carper, Mr. 
Begich, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Schatz) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to.:

                               S. Res. 99

       Whereas the week of May 5 through 11, 2013 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;
       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 the highly-trained individuals who work in 
     public service;
       Whereas public servants--
       (1) defend the freedom of the people of the United States 
     and advance the interests of the United States around the 
     world;
       (2) provide vital strategic support functions to the Armed 
     Forces of the United States 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 schools and libraries;
       (12) develop new technologies and explore the Earth, the 
     Moon, and space to help improve understanding of how the 
     world changes;
       (13) improve and secure transportation systems;
       (14) promote economic growth; and
       (15) assist the veterans of the United States;

       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 the 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 
     United States and the world;
       Whereas public servants have bravely fought in armed 
     conflict in defense of the United States 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 5 through 11, 2013 marks the 29th 
     anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of the week of May 5 through 
     11, 2013 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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