[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 6463-6464]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING PUBLIC SERVANTS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from further 
consideration and that the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 412
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 412) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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;

[[Page 6464]]

       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.

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