[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5436]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 481--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT PUBLIC 
SERVANTS SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND CONTINUED PUBLIC 
  SERVICE TO THE NATION DURING PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK, MAY 3 
                            THROUGH 9, 2010

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

                              S. Res. 481

       Whereas Public Service Recognition Week provides an 
     opportunity to recognize and promote 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;
       Whereas the Nation benefits daily from the knowledge and 
     skills of these highly trained individuals;
       Whereas public servants--
       (1) defend our freedom and advance United States interests 
     around the world;
       (2) provide vital strategic support functions to our 
     military and serve in the National Guard and Reserves;
       (3) fight crime and fires;
       (4) ensure equal access to secure, efficient, and 
     affordable mail service;
       (5) deliver Social Security and Medicare benefits;
       (6) fight disease and promote better health;
       (7) protect the environment and the Nation's parks;
       (8) enforce laws guaranteeing equal employment opportunity 
     and healthy working conditions;
       (9) defend and secure critical infrastructure;
       (10) help the Nation recover from natural disasters and 
     terrorist attacks;
       (11) teach and work in our schools and libraries;
       (12) develop new technologies and explore the earth, moon, 
     and space to help improve our understanding of how our world 
     changes;
       (13) improve and secure our transportation systems;
       (14) promote economic growth; and
       (15) assist our Nation's veterans;
       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 3 through 9, 2010, 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 
     26th 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 government employees for 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 all generations to consider a career in 
     public service; and
       (5) encourages efforts to promote public service careers at 
     all levels of government.

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize America's public 
servants, who provide so many of the vital services upon which this 
nation relies. As the Chairman 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 once again introduce a resolution honoring these employees 
in celebration of Public Service Recognition Week.
  Every day, Americans rely on our hardworking and talented government 
employees. Public servants deliver our mail, educate our children, care 
for our veterans, guard our prisons, protect our borders and 
communities, and defend our country and the principles of liberty and 
freedom that we hold dear. They influence the lives of people around 
the world as diplomats, promoting peace, prosperity, and democracy in 
conflicted regions, and providing critical assistance to developing and 
impoverished communities.
  Just as President John F. Kennedy did in his 1961 inaugural address, 
President Obama has called on Americans to make a renewed commitment to 
public service. Public Service Recognition Week allows us not only to 
honor and celebrate the works of federal, state and local public 
employees, but also provides an opportunity for all Americans to 
explore the many possible careers in public service. Throughout the 
nation, public employees use the week to educate their fellow citizens 
on how government serves them, and how government services make life 
better for all of us. It is my hope that through these events, many 
young professionals will decide to pursue a career in public service.
  As a former teacher and a life-long public servant, I am proud to 
highlight the importance of Public Service Recognition Week. The many 
domestic and global challenges we face make this a critical time for 
our Nation. Although we have designated a week to pay tribute to 
government employees, it is also important that we honor the invaluable 
service of public servants throughout the year. Our way of life--and 
the strength of our country--would not exist without the work of public 
employees.
  This is the 26th year we have honored our public servants with Public 
Service Recognition Week during the first full week of May. Each year 
we use this week to recognize and honor the men and women who serve 
America as federal, state, and local government employees, and commend 
their dedication to serving others. I encourage my colleagues to 
recognize the public servants in their states and join me in this 
annual celebration.

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