[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5054-5055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 128--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, 
                                  2011

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

                              S. Res. 128

       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 1 through 7, 2011, 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 
     27th anniversary: 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 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.

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I rise to honor America's public 
servants, who provide so many essential services that Americans rely on 
every day. I am pleased to once again introduce a resolution 
recognizing these employees during Public Service Recognition Week.
  Public Service Recognition Week provides us with the opportunity to 
honor and celebrate the works of federal, state and local public 
employees--and also gives American's across the country a chance to 
learn about the many possible careers in public service. As a former 
teacher and a life-long public servant, I have worked alongside so many 
hard-working, talented people who have dedicated their lives to serving 
others. Public employees across the country use the week to educate 
their fellow citizens on how government serves them and makes life 
better for all of us. It is my hope that this week's events will 
encourage many people, especially students and young professionals, to 
consider a career in public service.
  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 proud to take this moment 
to highlight the importance of our public servants. This country is 
facing so many challenges both here at home and abroad, and our public 
servants play an integral role in moving our country forward. It is 
essential that we do not lose sight of their importance and all that 
they do to keep our country strong.
  Our public servants are honorable men and women who provide vital 
services to the American people, including teaching our children, 
keeping our Nation safe, caring for our wounded warriors, guarding our 
prisons, and responding to natural disasters. Our way of life would not 
exist without the work of public employees.
  This is the 27th year we have honored our public servants with Public 
Service Recognition Week during the first week of May. 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. America's public servants deserve our gratitude 
and respect and I thank them for their dedication. I encourage my 
colleagues to join me in this annual celebration and recognize the 
public servants in their states.

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