[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 69 (Thursday, May 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E716-E717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING AMERICA'S PUBLIC SERVANTS

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2014

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to direct the 
House's attention to Public Service Recognition Week, a time in which 
we honor the more than 20 million men and women who serve our nation as 
federal, state, county, and local government employees.
  These people are our friends and neighbors, and they perform critical 
work every day that is vital to our nation's welfare. They keep us safe 
from terrorist threats and food-borne illness, develop new treatments 
for diseases, protect our environment, educate our children, provide 
care to veterans, deliver our mail, and the list goes on. Despite the 
popular notion of the isolated ``Washington bureaucrat'', the 
overwhelming majority of government employees serve in our own 
communities in all fifty states--including 85 percent of federal 
employees. Yet, we often overlook or simply take for granted America's 
public servants.
  Of course, the government's ability to effectively perform essential 
functions depends on a well-trained and highly-engaged workforce. 
According to the Government Accountability Office, nearly 30 percent of 
federal employees on board at the end of fiscal year 2011 will be 
eligible to retire by 2016, including one-third of the government's top 
scientists, engineers, physicians, mathematicians, economists, and 
other highly specialized professionals. We must redouble our efforts to 
identify and recruit the next generation of talented public servants to 
ensure government can continue to tackle our nation's toughest 
challenges.
  At its best, government is an instrument of our common purpose. It is 
a powerful tool to defend the vulnerable, expand opportunity, and help 
our country reach its full potential. In a representational democracy, 
government is not an abstract idea but a living institution that is 
powered by men and women dedicated to promoting and protecting the 
common good. To all of those who have stepped up to the plate and 
devoted their lives to this noble calling, I thank you.
  As we mark the passage of Public Service Recognition Week, I urge all 
my colleagues to join me in commemorating the hard work and sacrifice 
made by our nation's federal, state, and local government employees.

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