[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 3, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2726-S2727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 153--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT, DURING 
 PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK, PUBLIC SERVANTS SHOULD BE COMMENDED 
    FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES

  Ms. HEITKAMP (for herself, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Johnson, 
Mr. Carper, Mr. Tester, Mr. Peters, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. 
Leahy, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Brown, Mr. Cardin, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King, 
Mr. Sanders, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Warner, Mr. Coons, and Mr. Van 
Hollen) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:
       Whereas the week of May 7 through 13, 2017, has been 
     designated as ``Public Service Recognition Week'' to honor 
     employees of the Federal Government and State and local 
     governments and members of the uniformed services;
       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to recognize and promote the important 
     contributions of public servants and to honor the diverse men 
     and women who meet the needs of the United States through 
     work at all levels of government and as members of the 
     uniformed services;
       Whereas millions of individuals work in government service, 
     and as members of the uniformed services, in every State, 
     county, and city 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 ability of the Federal Government and State and 
     local governments to be responsive, innovative, and effective 
     depends on the outstanding performance of dedicated 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 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 benefits under the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 301 et seq.), including benefits under the Medicare 
     program under title XVIII of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et 
     seq.);
       (6) fight disease and promote better health;
       (7) protect the environment and parks in 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 knowledge on how the world 
     changes;
       (13) improve and secure transportation systems;
       (14) promote economic growth; and
       (15) assist veterans of the Armed Forces;
       Whereas members of the uniformed services and civilian 
     employees at all levels of government--
       (1) make significant contributions to the general welfare 
     of the United States; and
       (2) 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 individuals serving in the uniformed services, 
     as well as the skilled trade and craft employees of the 
     Federal Government who provide support to their efforts--
       (1) are committed to doing their jobs regardless of the 
     circumstances; and
       (2) contribute greatly to the security of the United States 
     and the world;
       Whereas public servants have bravely fought in armed 
     conflicts in the defense of the United States and its ideals, 
     and deserve the care and benefits they have earned through 
     their honorable service;

[[Page S2727]]

       Whereas public servants--
       (1) have much to offer, as demonstrated by their expertise 
     and innovative ideas; and
       (2) serve as examples by passing on institutional knowledge 
     to train the next generation of public servants; and
       Whereas the week of May 7 through 13, 2017, marks the 33rd 
     anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of the week of May 7 through 
     13, 2017, as ``Public Service Recognition Week'';
       (2) commends public servants for their outstanding 
     contributions to the United States during Public Service 
     Recognition Week and throughout the year;
       (3) salutes government employees, and members of the 
     uniformed services, for their unyielding dedication to, and 
     enthusiasm for, public service;
       (4) honors government employees and members of the 
     uniformed services 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;
       (6) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at 
     every level of government; and
       (7) supports efforts to promote an efficient and effective 
     public service that serves the people of the United States.

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