[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11546-11548]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED SERVICE 
                             TO THE NATION

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 307) expressing the sense of the House 
of Representatives 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 307

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

[[Page 11547]]

      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;
       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 House of Representatives--
       (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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would yield myself such time as 
I might consume.
  H. Res. 307 commends public servants for their outstanding 
contributions to this great Nation during Public Service Recognition 
Week, May 7 through May 13, 2007. This resolution salutes their 
unyielding dedication and spirit of public service.
  On Tuesday, April 17, 2007, I introduced this legislation in 
conjunction with Senator Akaka, who introduced S. Res. 150 to honor and 
celebrate the commitment of the men and women who have dedicated their 
lives to serving the public.
  Over 18 million individuals in cities, counties and States in America 
and abroad serve our government and the American people. They perform 
essential services that the Nation relies upon every day. Federal 
employees from agencies like the National Institutes of Health, 
National Science Foundation, and the Food and Drug Administration are 
committed to promoting health, advances in research, regulating 
industries, and ensuring the well-being and safety of our citizens.
  The men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States as 
well as the skilled trade and craft employees who support their efforts 
contribute greatly to the security of our country and to the world. We 
cannot thank our public servants enough for the work that they do for 
their fellow citizens day in and day out.
  Governments at all levels simply cannot function properly without 
good employees who are committed to public service. We should be 
reminded of their contributions, not just in May, but when we are 
setting their pay and benefits, and by ensuring that they have the 
resources they need to do their jobs.
  Last Wednesday, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 150, the 
companion bill to H. Res. 307, and I would urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  I am extremely proud to rise today in support of H. Res. 307, 
honoring the millions of dedicated public servants that serve our 
Nation. Our country simply could not function without its innovative, 
professional, highly trained public service employees. At all levels of 
government you will find hardworking staff making our country prosper 
and thrive through their contributions. The expertise and work ethic 
offered by these individuals sets an honorable example for future 
generations of employees. From emergency responders to librarians, 
public servants span the spectrum of jobs that keep our country 
efficient and safe.
  Beyond the tremendous work of civilian employees and uniformed 
service personnel, the members of our National Guard and Reserves are 
crucial to the welfare of all U.S. citizens. They provide vital 
strategic support for our Nation's military both at home and abroad. 
Their tremendous accomplishments with assisting States and countries 
overseas with natural disasters is to be praised.
  Once again, I commend these employees for performing challenging and 
oftentimes thankless jobs with honor and dedication. I appreciate them 
for moving our country forward and maintaining our safety and security. 
For these reasons I am thrilled to express my support for a week of 
honoring these individuals.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentlelady 
for her comments, and I appreciate her support of this resolution.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 23rd annual Public 
Service Recognition Week. I am proud to be a co-chair of the 
Congressional Public Service Caucus, proud to have been a federal 
employee, and proud to represent in Congress a large number of my 
constituents who are federal employees. These employees are a national 
asset who work hard day after day with professionalism and dedication.
  Federal employees are the backbone of our government. They can be 
found working to

[[Page 11548]]

find cures for diseases at the National Institutes of Health, helping 
seniors with their Social Security benefits, representing our interests 
overseas in the State Department, serving as stewards of America's 
natural resources in the National Park Service, helping our country 
defend the homeland at the Department of Defense and at the Department 
of Homeland Security. These are but a few examples of the many areas in 
which federal employees are serving our country.
  We must not forget those federal employees who are risking their 
lives in the war against terrorism. The first combat death in 
Afghanistan in the wake of September 11 was CIA officer Johnny Micheal 
Spann, one of my constituents. And today, Federal employees can be 
found throughout the globe fighting the war against terrorism in many 
different ways.
  The sacrifice and hard work of our federal employees, whether abroad 
or at home, should never be forgotten. Federal employees deserve fair 
pay--which is why I have been pleased to support pay parity for federal 
employees since I have been in Congress.
  They deserve adequate health care--which is why I have supported 
legislation to make sure federal employees get quality health benefits.
  And retired Federal employees must not be forgotten--which is why I 
have supported legislation to aid Federal employees who have retired 
from active service. Federal employees deserve to be honored during 
Public Service Recognition Week. But we must always remember the they 
are serving our country every day of the year.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 291, a 
resolution that commemorates and observes Peace Officers' Memorial Day, 
which honors law enforcement officers and those killed or disabled in 
the line of duty.
  Law enforcement officers risk their lives daily to protect the 
citizens of this Nation and sadly 143 law enforcement officers were 
killed in the line of duty in 2006. Next week, thousands of law 
enforcement officers will come to Washington, DC, to pay their respects 
to their fallen fellow officers at the National Law Enforcement 
Memorial. As a former police officer, I also pay tribute to law 
enforcement officials who died in the line of duty in 2006 and continue 
to honor those police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
  As a proud member of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, I 
strongly support critical funding for programs, such as the Community 
Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, to hire additional police 
officers and help law enforcement acquire the latest crime-fighting 
technologies. I will continue to be a strong supporter of the law 
enforcement community and will advocate on behalf of public safety in 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of our courageous law enforcement officers, I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and paying respect to our 
valiant heroes. As a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 291, I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am proud we have brought 
this resolution to the floor today. it is sadly fitting, as today marks 
the 1-year anniversary of the fatal shootings of Master Police Officer 
Michael E. Garbarino and Detective Vicky O. Armel of the Fairfax County 
Police Department--the first two officers shot and killed in the line 
of duty in the department's long, distinguished history.
  These local officers were shining examples of the courage and 
selflessness found in our law enforcement community. Their stories also 
illustrate the fact that personal sacrifice and danger have always been 
synonymous with law enforcement service, beginning with New York City's 
Deputy Sheriff Isaac Smith, who on May 17, 1792, became the first 
recorded police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
  Today, there are 870,000 sworn law enforcement officers in the United 
States who continue the ``quest to preserve both democracy and decency, 
and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream,'' a 
quote by President George Bush engraved on the National Law Enforcement 
Officers Memorial. Each one of these officers and their families carry 
with them the knowledge their efforts put them in harm's way. Today, 
more than 56,000 are assaulted each year and every 53 hours, an officer 
is killed while serving the American people. September 11, 2001, was 
the deadliest day for police officers in all of American history when 
72 officers were killed while responding to terrorist attacks.
  May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day, a holiday created in 1961 by 
Congress to honor fallen law enforcement officers who dedicated their 
lives to protecting this country and its citizens. The flag is flown at 
half-staff and thousands of people visit the Memorial, which was 
authorized by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and built in 1989 and 
currently has 17,912 names etched into the wall.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution to honor the memories of 
Master Police Officer Garbarino and Detective Armel, and all the fallen 
heroes from the law enforcement ranks for their service and their 
willingness to expose themselves to danger in their pursuit of a safe 
community.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 307.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________