[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 10996-10997]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    COMMENDATION OF PUBLIC SERVANTS

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Homeland Security/Governmental Affairs Committee be discharged from 
further consideration of S. Res. 150, and that the Senate then proceed 
to its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 150) 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 7 through 13, 2007.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; that any statements relating thereto 
be printed in the Record, without further intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 150) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 150

       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to recognize the important contributions of 
     public servants and honor the diverse 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;

[[Page 10997]]

       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) develop new technologies and explore the earth, moon, 
     and space to help improve our understanding of how our world 
     changes;
       (12) improve and secure our transportation systems;
       (13) keep the Nation's economy stable; and
       (14) 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 7 through 13, 2007, 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 
     23rd 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 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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