[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6897]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                  PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK 2000

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise today during Public Service 
Recognition Week 2000 to encourage my colleagues to take a moment to 
honor the many selfless actions and outstanding accomplishments of our 
nation's state, local, and Federal public servants. As the ranking 
member on the Senate Subcommittee on International Security, 
Proliferation, and Federal Services, with direct jurisdiction over the 
Federal civil service, I take particular pride in honoring the millions 
of dedicated men and women who work around the clock on our behalf.
  Their responsibilities are as varied as the challenges presented by 
their jobs. Our armed forces and civilian defense workers keep us out 
of harms's way--both domestically and abroad--our public school 
teachers instruct our children, and the U.S. Postal Service provides 
delivery to every address in the nation. Our public servants safeguard 
our food supplies; support our social services infrastructure, oversee 
and protect our economy; and so much more. These men and women are the 
backbone of what makes America great. We often take them for granted 
and in certain instances subject them to scorn and ridicule. With 
little recognition from the public they serve, these employees are 
unwavering in their dedication, honor, purpose, and ability to serve 
their cities, counties, states, and Federal Government.
  I am heartened that so many school districts are fostering public 
service by requiring their students to serve as volunteers prior to 
graduating high school. As a former school teacher and administrator, I 
believe that voluntary service is useful and appropriate in developing 
a sense of community and fellowship, and I am hopeful that as each 
generation matures it will see the value of continuing their public 
service by working in state, local, or Federal Government. However, I 
am aware that Congress must play a role in supporting public service.
  At a Governmental Affairs Committee hearing this week on the 
effectiveness of Federal employee incentive programs it became evident 
that the lack of sufficient funds to support viable and much-needed 
compensation, recognition, and incentives program for Federal employees 
was hampering efforts to recruit, retain, and relocate Federal workers.
  Federal agencies, if given adequate funding, would be better 
positioned to utilize incentive programs that are already available. 
Flattened budgets and the pressure to reallocate limited resources do 
not benefit Federal employees or the ultimate end-user: the American 
taxpayer.
  Our Nation's Federal civil servants have given much to their country, 
especially when Congress was balancing the budget during times of 
crunching deficits. Now that the country is enjoying record-breaking 
surpluses, I believe Federal employees should be rewarded for their 
contributions, and I will continue to push for realistic budgets and 
salaries for Federal agencies and their employees.
  I proudly join all public service workers in observance of the 16th 
annual Public Service Recognition Week, and I heartily salute the past 
accomplishments, outstanding service, and future contribution that 
these outstanding men and women make to our Nation's greatness.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to spotlight the 
significant achievements of all those who make up our Nation's public 
workforce.
  This week, from May 1st to the 7th, is Public Service Recognition 
Week, organized by the Public Employees Roundtable. The Public 
Employees Roundtable was formed in 1982 as a nonpartisan coalition of 
management and professional associations representing approximately one 
million public employees and retirees. The mission of the Roundtable is 
to educate the American people about the numerous ways public employees 
enrich the quality of life throughout our Nation and advance the 
country's national interests around the world.
  I am indeed proud to join the Public Employees Roundtable in their 
ongoing efforts to bring special attention to the dedicated individuals 
who have chosen public service as a career. While we should all 
appreciate the efforts of public employees throughout the year, this 
week-long celebration is an invaluable opportunity to honor their 
contributions and learn about the vast array of programs and services 
public employees provide every day. For four days, starting today, a 
wide variety of organizations will sponsor exhibits on the Mall to 
spotlight the work public employees perform. This year, among the 
numerous agencies represented, will be the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 
the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps; and the Social Security 
Administration.
  These exhibits sponsored by civilian and Department of Defense 
agencies will showcase the amazing variety of public employees that 
make ours the greatest Nation in the world--at the Federal, state, and 
local government levels. This year, I was also pleased to join with 
several of my House and Senate colleagues in circulating to every 
Congressional office a videotape entitled ``Salute to Excellence,'' 
produced by the Public Employees Roundtable. In a brief 10 minutes, the 
video clearly demonstrates that our Nation's public servants are hard-
working individuals who perform vital work for the country each and 
every day.
  The total impact of the work of public employees is impossible to 
measure. Without them, senior citizens would wait in vain for Social 
Security checks, cities would not have the funds and assistance to 
improve their highways, and our entrepreneurs could not protect their 
new inventions. In short, all of our citizens would suffer.
  Initiatives to improve government services have encouraged the 
development of creative solutions and programs to better serve our 
citizens. Several of these innovative ideas were recognized at the 
``Breakfast of Champions'' held this Monday honoring winners of the 
2000 Public Service Excellence Awards. These honorees--and public 
employees everywhere--are finding ways to do their work better, more 
professionally, and in a way that meets the community's needs.
  As I have said on many occasions, I believe very much that the United 
States will only continue to be a first-rate country if we have first-
class public servants. Our Nation is experiencing unprecedented growth 
and unemployment rates, and has unquestionably benefited from the many 
achievements of Federal employees. In setting aside this week to 
acknowledge our Nation's public servants, we all have an opportunity to 
give these employees the thanks and recognition they so greatly 
deserve. I am very pleased to extend my appreciation to such a worthy 
and committed group of men and women and encourage them to continue in 
their efforts on behalf of all Americans.

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