[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 17086-17087]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE BOARDS

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 321, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 321) commemorating the 50th 
     anniversary of the Federal Executive Boards.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise in support of a resolution 
commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Federal Executive Boards.
  Federal Executive Boards were established on November 10, 1961, by 
President John F. Kennedy through a presidential directive to 
strengthen the coordination of government activities outside of 
Washington, DC. Today, there are 28 Federal Executive Boards across the 
country, where more than 80 percent of all Federal employees work.
  Federal Executive Boards have improved the efficiency of Federal 
government activities and leveraged resources. According to the Federal 
Executive Board Annual Report, in Fiscal Year 2010, Federal Executive 
Boards saved the Federal government an estimated total of nearly $33 
million. Federal Executive Boards coordinated Alternative Dispute 
Resolution services by providing mediators to agencies at low or no 
cost, which saved the Federal government more than $25.2 million. 
Furthermore, Federal Executive Boards provided training to more than 
28,000 employees and saved the Federal government $7.7 million in 
training costs by providing instructors and conference space to deliver 
group training sessions, which reduced travel and lodging expenditures.
  As we commemorate this anniversary, it is fitting to recognize the 
contributions of Federal Executive Boards on our communities 
nationwide. Federal Executive Boards supported and raised more than $78 
million in Fiscal Year 2010 for the Combined Federal Campaign, the 
largest workplace charity campaign, supporting 20,000 non-profit, 
charitable organizations that provide health and human service benefits 
in the United States and around the world. Last year, Federal Executive 
Boards supported the government-wide initiative Feds Feed Families food 
drive and collected over 65,000 pounds of food. Additionally, Federal 
Executive Boards volunteer in their communities to mentor students and 
contribute to holiday toy, blood, and clothing drives.
  Federal Executive Boards have also played an important role in 
emergency support. During the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in 
Minneapolis in August 2007 and the massive flooding in the southeastern 
area of the state just two weeks later, the Minnesota Federal Executive 
Board passed critical information from local and state sources to more 
than 100 Federal agencies to provide status updates of recovery 
operations and potential workforce impacts. Following the 1995 bombing 
of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma 
Federal Executive Board brought together officials to discuss how 
Federal Executive Boards can best support first responders during an 
emergency.
  During Hurricane Katrina, the Executive Director of the New Orleans 
Federal Executive Board coordinated with the Office of Personnel 
Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to obtain and 
disseminate guidance, as well as communicate

[[Page 17087]]

issues of concern from Federal agencies in the area. In addition, 
Federal Executive Boards initiated several activities to prepare 
Federal employees for a pandemic. For instance, a number of Federal 
Executive Boards held pandemic influenza tabletop exercises, which 
included nonprofit organizations, the private sector, and other levels 
of government.
  Federal Executive Boards are vital to confronting today's challenges 
and helping agencies meet their workforce needs and missions. They are 
uniquely positioned to bring together the Federal family. Again, I want 
to say mahalo, thank you, to the Federal Executive Boards for their 
valuable work and congratulate them on their success on this 50th 
anniversary.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask further that the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid 
upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any 
statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 321) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 321

       Whereas the Federal Executive Boards were established 
     through a presidential directive signed by President John F. 
     Kennedy in 1961;
       Whereas, the Federal Executive Boards increase 
     effectiveness and economy of Federal agencies through 
     coordination of local approaches to national programs and 
     shared management needs;
       Whereas, the Federal Executive Boards serve over 780,000 
     Federal civilian employees in 28 locations across the Nation;
       Whereas, the Federal Executive Boards provide a forum for 
     the exchange of information between Washington, D.C. and 
     agencies in the field about programs, management methods, and 
     administrative issues;
       Whereas, the Federal Executive Boards improve the 
     continuity of Government operations by facilitating planning 
     and coordination among local Federal agencies;
       Whereas, the Federal Executive Boards increase the 
     efficiency of Federal spending through cost-avoidance on 
     coordinated training and alternative dispute resolution 
     programs;
       Whereas, the Federal Executive Boards serve as the Federal 
     point of contact for intergovernmental collaboration and 
     community outreach in their locales;
       Whereas commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Federal 
     Executive Boards will recognize members and staff of Federal 
     Executive Boards for their unyielding dedication and 
     commitment to public service, as well as the Federal agencies 
     whose support over the years has helped Federal Executive 
     Boards provide Federal employees with low-cost training, 
     emergency preparedness plans, and performance recognition 
     through interagency awards events: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Federal 
     Executive Boards;
       (2) commends the Federal Executive Boards for their 
     unyielding dedication to the Federal community;
       (3) encourages Federal leaders to continue support of, and 
     participation in, activities of the Federal Executive Boards; 
     and
       (4) urges the people of the United States to observe the 
     50th anniversary of Federal Executive Boards with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

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