[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4273-4274]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 412--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 1 THROUGH 7, 
                                  2006

  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. 412

       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to recognize the important contributions of 
     public servants and honor the men and women who meet the 
     needs of the Nation through work at all levels of government;
       Whereas millions of individuals work in government service 
     in every city, county, and State across America and in 
     hundreds of cities abroad;
       Whereas public service is a noble calling involving a 
     variety of challenging and rewarding professions;
       Whereas Federal, State, and local governments are 
     responsive, innovative, and effective because of the 
     outstanding work of public servants;
       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) provide vital strategic support functions to our 
     military and serve in the National Guard and Reserves;
       (2) fight crime and fire;
       (3) ensure equal access to secure, efficient, and 
     affordable mail service;
       (4) deliver social security and medicare benefits;
       (5) fight disease and promote better health;
       (6) protect the environment and the Nation's parks;
       (7) enforce laws guaranteeing equal employment 
     opportunities and healthy working conditions;
       (8) defend and secure critical infrastructure;
       (9) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and 
     terrorist attacks;
       (10) teach and work in our schools and libraries;
       (11) improve and secure our transportation systems;
       (12) keep the Nation's economy stable; and
       (13) defend our freedom and advance United States interests 
     around the world;
       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 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, are 
     committed to doing their jobs regardless of the 
     circumstances, and contribute greatly to the security of the 
     Nation and the world;
       Whereas public servants have bravely fought in armed 
     conflict in defense of this Nation and its ideals and deserve 
     the care and benefits they have earned through their 
     honorable service;
       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 1 through 7, 2006, has been designated Public 
     Service Recognition Week to honor America's Federal, State, 
     and local government employees; and
       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week is celebrating its 
     22nd 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 during Public Service 
     Recognition Week and throughout the year;
       (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 stand in recognition of America's 
public servants who provide the essential, often unseen services on 
which our great country thrives. 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 honored to submit a resolution paying tribute to these 
employees in celebration of 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 22nd anniversary of Public Service Recognition Week, which takes 
place the week of May 1, 2006, 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, America's public employees use this week to 
showcase the exciting challenges of a career in public service and 
demonstrate how government workers create a brighter future for us all.
  Public servants perform essential services that our nation relies on 
every day. They care for our veterans, protect our public lands, ensure 
the safety of our food and water, and deliver the mail and needed 
medical supplies, in addition to countless additional tasks.
  Over the past few years we have all been reminded of the remarkable 
work of public servants, including our men and women in uniform. Their 
steadfast devotion to the defense of this Nation and the ideals we hold 
most dear is commendable. Nearly 2,600 military and Department of 
Defense civilian employees have lost their lives since the beginning of 
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The sacrifice 
of these brave men and women remain a constant reminder of the courage 
with which the members of our Armed Forces serve. Nor should we forget 
those Federal civilian employees who work side-by-side with our troops 
abroad and provide needed support for their mission. Military and 
civilian employees alike continue to earn our admiration with their 
unwavering strength and dedication.
  The men and women who serve in the Coast Guard exemplify public 
service as demonstrated by their tireless efforts to rescue the people 
trapped in their homes by the flood waters from Hurricane Katrina.
  Another example of the countless contributions public servants give 
to the Nation is Orlando Figueroa, the Deputy Associate Administrator 
for Programs, Science Mission Directorate, at the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, who led the Mars Exploration Rover Project. 
Mr. Figueroa and his team created a mobile science lab used to conduct 
remote exploration on the surface of another planet, which allowed the 
exploration of regions beyond the original landing site. This fantastic 
accomplishment has produced a wealth of scientific discoveries 
revealing Mars as a potential habitat. The work of Mr. Figueroa and 
other Federal scientists spark the

[[Page 4274]]

imagination, fuel the human spirit, and inspire us to pursue even 
greater things.
  President John F. Kennedy said, ``Let the public service be a proud 
and lively career.'' While Public Service Recognition week provides the 
opportunity to honor and celebrate the works of our Federal employees, 
it also serves as a time to call upon a new generation of Americans to 
explore the opportunities of such a ``proud and lively career.'' 
Through job fairs, agency sponsored events, and special exhibits, 
Public Service Recognition Week allows individuals from all walks of 
life to gain a deeper appreciation of the challenging, exciting, and 
rewarding work available in the federal government.
  I encourage my colleagues to bring to light the works and services of 
the federal employees in their states and join in this annual 
celebration.

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