[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6601-6602]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 108--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT PUBLIC 
SERVANTS SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED SERVICE 
TO THE NATION DURING PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK, MAY 2 THROUGH 8, 
                                  2005

  Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Ms. Collins, Mr. Lieberman, 
Mr. Coleman, Mr. Levin, Mr. Coburn, and Mr. Carper) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs:

                              S. Res. 108

       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to honor and celebrate the commitment of men and 
     women who meet the needs of the Nation through work at all 
     levels of government;
       Whereas over 18,000,000 individuals work in government 
     service in every city, county, and State across America and 
     in hundreds of cities abroad;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local officials perform 
     essential services the Nation relies upon every day;
       Whereas the United States of America is a great and 
     prosperous nation, and public service employees contribute 
     significantly to that greatness and prosperity;
       Whereas the Nation benefits daily from the knowledge and 
     skills of these highly trained individuals;
       Whereas public servants--
       (1) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and 
     terrorist attacks;
       (2) provide vital strategic support functions to our 
     military and serve in the National Guard and Reserves;
       (3) fight crime and fire;
       (4) deliver the United States mail;
       (5) deliver social security and medicare benefits;
       (6) fight disease and promote better health;
       (7) protect the environment and the Nation's parks;
       (8) defend and secure critical infrastructure;
       (9) teach and work in our schools and libraries;
       (10) improve and secure our transportation systems;
       (11) keep the Nation's economy stable; and
       (12) defend our freedom and advance United States interests 
     around the world;
       Whereas public servants at every level of government are 
     hard-working men and women, committed to doing their jobs 
     regardless of the circumstances;
       Whereas members of the uniformed services and civilian 
     employees at all levels of government make significant 
     contributions to the general welfare of the United States, 
     and are on the front lines in the fight against terrorism and 
     in maintaining homeland security;
       Whereas public servants work in a professional manner to 
     build relationships with other countries and cultures in 
     order to better represent America's interests and promote 
     American ideals;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local government employees have 
     risen to the occasion and demonstrated professionalism, 
     dedication, and courage while fighting the war against 
     terrorism;
       Whereas public servants alert Congress and the public to 
     government waste, fraud, abuse, and dangers to public health;
       Whereas the men and women serving in the Armed Forces of 
     the United States, as well as those skilled trade and craft 
     Federal employees who provide support to their efforts, 
     contribute greatly to the security of the Nation and the 
     world;
       Whereas government workers have much to offer, as 
     demonstrated by their expertise and innovative ideas, and 
     serve as examples by passing on institutional knowledge to 
     train the next generation of public servants;
       Whereas May 2 through 8, 2005, has been designated Public 
     Service Recognition Week to honor America's Federal, State, 
     and local government employees;
       Whereas the theme for Public Service Recognition Week 2005 
     is Celebrating Government Workers Nationwide to highlight the 
     important work civil servants perform throughout the Nation; 
     and
       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week is celebrating its 
     21st anniversary through job fairs, student activities, and 
     agency exhibits: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends public servants for their outstanding 
     contributions to this great Nation;
       (2) salutes their unyielding dedication and spirit for 
     public service;
       (3) honors those government employees who have given their 
     lives in service to their country;
       (4) calls upon a new generation of workers to consider a 
     career in public service as an honorable profession; and
       (5) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at 
     all levels of government.

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to America's 
public servants. Whether it is at the Federal, State, or local level, 
the men and women who choose public service provide essential services 
that we rely on every day. As the ranking member of the Senate Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of 
Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of 
Columbia, I am pleased to submit a resolution honoring these employees 
and celebrating Public Service Recognition Week. I am delighted to be 
joined by the leadership of the Senate Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Committee, Senators Voinovich, Collins, Lieberman, 
Coleman, Levin, Coburn, and Carper.
  The 21st anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week, which takes 
place the week of May 2, 2005, showcases the talented individuals who 
serve their country as Federal, State and local government employees, 
both civilian and military. From Hawaii to Maine, throughout the 
Nation, and around the world, public employees use the week to educate 
their fellow citizens on Government services make life better for all 
of us and the exciting challenges of a career in public service.
  Public servants are teachers, members of the Armed Forces, civilian 
defense workers, postal employees, food inspectors, law enforcement 
officers, firemen, social workers, crossing guards, and road engineers. 
They deliver essential Government services; defend our freedom; go 
above and beyond the call of duty to notify the public of Government 
waste, fraud, abuse; and respond with professionalism and honor during 
emergencies. They deserve our respect and gratitude for their 
dedication and service to this country.
  As the conflict in Iraq continues, as well as the global war on 
terrorism, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the brave men 
and women who have given their lives for their country. Over 1,500 
Americans have lost their lives in defense of freedom since the 
beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the Federal civilian 
workforce work side-by-side with members of the Armed Services and are 
crucial to our Nation's defense, security, and general welfare. Like 
those who came before them and those who are yet to come, our military 
and civilian support staff show courage in the face of adversity and 
deserve our admiration and respect.
  Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity to honor and 
celebrate the commitment of individuals who serve the needs of the 
Nation as Government and municipal employees. It is also a time to call 
on a new generation of Americans to consider public service. Through 
job fairs, special exhibits, and agency sponsored education programs, 
Public Service Recognition Week provides an opportunity for individuals 
to gain a deeper

[[Page 6602]]

understanding of the exciting and challenging work in the Federal 
Government.
  I encourage my colleagues to recognize Federal employees in their 
States, as well as State and local government employees, and to let 
them know how much their work is appreciated. I invite my colleagues to 
join in the annual celebration.

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