[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 75 (Thursday, May 5, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2363-S2364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 619--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

  Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Peters, Mr. Portman, Mr. 
Carper, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Romney, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Burr, Mr. 
Cardin, Mr. Braun, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Rosen, and Mr. Ossoff) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 619

       Whereas the week of May 1 through May 7, 2022, 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 public servants have worked, and 
     continue to work, to help the United States overcome the 
     challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing essential 
     services to continue and playing a critical role in 
     protecting public health and safety;
       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 continues to reaffirm the 
     critical importance of public service employees in responding 
     to public health and economic challenges;
       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 and the ideals 
     of democracy 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, including COVID-19, 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, pandemics, and terrorist attacks;
       (11) teach and work in schools and libraries;
       (12) develop new technologies and explore Earth, the moon, 
     and space to improve knowledge on how the world changes;
       (13) improve and secure transportation systems;
       (14) promote economic stability and growth; and
       (15) assist veterans of the Armed Forces;

[[Page S2364]]

       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 to 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;
       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;
       Whereas the commitment and perseverance of public servants 
     during the COVID-19 pandemic have allowed essential services 
     to continue, mitigating the disruption to the daily lives of 
     the people of the United States and playing a critical role 
     in protecting public health and safety;
       Whereas legislative branch employees, including members of 
     the United States Capitol Police and officers of the Senate 
     and the House of Representatives, ensure the smooth 
     functioning of Congress and the safety and security of 
     Members of Congress, their staffs, and visitors to the 
     Capitol complex;
       Whereas legislative branch employees working for Members of 
     Congress, congressional committees, and legislative branch 
     agencies work tirelessly to serve constituents and support 
     Congress in fulfilling its constitutional obligations;
       Whereas public servants have decisively and resolutely 
     responded to conflicts around the globe, including the 
     evolving crisis in Ukraine, through creative diplomatic 
     approaches; and
       Whereas the week of May 1 through May 7, 2022, marks the 
     38th anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of the week of May 1 through 
     May 7, 2022, as ``Public Service Recognition Week'';
       (2) commends public servants during Public Service 
     Recognition Week for their outstanding contributions to this 
     great country 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 communities and 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) expresses gratitude to the Federal workers who have 
     selflessly answered the call to serve their country.

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