[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5908]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WEEK

 Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. President, Governor Don Sundquist of the 
State of Tennessee has proclaimed April 16-22, 2000, as ``National 
Association of Retired Federal Employees Week'' in order to focus 
attention on the many accomplishments of Tennessee's retired Federal 
employees. In recognition of the important public service performed by 
Federal retirees, I ask my colleagues to join Governor Sundquist and me 
in acknowledging the contributions retired Federal employees have made 
to this Nation and their continued dedication to our communities.
  Beginning in 1882, a non-partisan civil service system was 
established granting Federal employees the protections of a merit 
system, eliminating the spoils system and basing Federal employment 
decisions on merit rather than political connection. It is in this 
spirit that Federal employees, over the course of almost 120 years, 
have served the public interest. Their professional lives have been 
dedicated to performing and carrying out the responsibilities of the 
Federal Government.
  In an effort to improve the civil service, and in recognition of 
civil servants' efforts on behalf of the Federal Government, Congress 
enacted in 1920 the first comprehensive employer-sponsored retirement 
plan - the Civil Service Retirement System. This system has served the 
country well since then and its successor, the Federal Employee 
Retirement System, serves as a benchmark in evaluating pension and 
retirement plans.
  As the chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, I can 
attest to the effectiveness of NARFE members in making the case for 
equitable retirement and health benefits for the more than two million 
federal retirees and their survivors.
  My State of Tennessee is home to more than 37,000 Federal retirees. 
These folks, like all federal retirees, served their country through 
their commitment to public service. Federal retirees deserve our 
Nation's thanks for the dedication they have shown. I hope all my 
colleagues will join me today saluting Federal retirees for a job well 
done.




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