[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 26991-26992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10661]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 26991]]


                Proclamation 9440 of April 29, 2016

                
Public Service Recognition Week, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our Nation's progress has long been fueled by the 
                efforts of selfless citizens who come together in 
                service to their fellow Americans to change our country 
                for the better. At the birth of our Nation, our 
                Founders fought to secure a democracy that represents 
                the people, and the civil servants who pour everything 
                they have into making a difference are the individuals 
                who keep that democracy running smoothly and 
                effectively. During Public Service Recognition Week, we 
                honor those who dedicate themselves to ensuring 
                America's promise rings true in every corner of our 
                country, and we recommit to upholding the values they 
                fight for every day.

                Civil servants demonstrate resolve and inspire optimism 
                in sectors throughout our country. They are engineers 
                and educators, military service members and social 
                workers, and their individual and collective 
                contributions drive us forward on the path toward an 
                ever brighter tomorrow. Both at home and abroad, they 
                carry forward the notion that as Americans, we are 
                committed to looking out for one another and to working 
                together to forge a bright future for generations to 
                come. And the only way our Nation's civil service will 
                remain at the forefront of our progress is for talented 
                and patriotic young people to join in the effort of 
                serving their fellow Americans--whether for 1 year or 
                throughout their career.

                Throughout this week, we recognize the tireless efforts 
                of the women and men who strive to make sure ours is a 
                government that stays true to its founding ideals. With 
                85 percent of Federal Government jobs located outside 
                of the Washington, DC area, our Federal workers, 
                together with leaders and advocates from State and 
                local levels, play key roles in ensuring the voices of 
                the American people are heard. And even in the toughest 
                of circumstances, including a politics that does not 
                always fully recognize the value of their work, our 
                public servants--often at great personal sacrifice--
                continue striving to build a better country and to 
                bring lasting change to the lives of ordinary people 
                across America. These selfless individuals tackle great 
                challenges facing our country. Whether leading 
                important scientific advances, helping homeless 
                veterans get off the street and reclaim their lives, 
                supporting small businesses and impoverished 
                communities, or sustaining our environment by reducing 
                harmful pollutants emitted into our air and waterways, 
                these often unsung heroes make vital contributions to 
                our country and help make our founding promise real for 
                more people.

                The well-being of our people depends on the passion and 
                dedication of our workforce, and my Administration has 
                worked to recruit, uplift, and empower exceptional 
                civil servants. In an effort to fully realize the 
                belief that all of us have the capacity to make a 
                meaningful difference and contribute to our shared 
                success, I have directed the Office of Personnel 
                Management to begin taking action to ``ban the box'' on 
                most Federal job applications so we are not 
                disqualifying people with a criminal record simply 
                because of a mistake they made in the past. 
                Additionally, we are implementing programs that 
                encourage Government-wide collaboration, giving workers 
                a chance to lend and develop their talents across 
                agencies and departments so our best ideas can flourish 
                and grow to their fullest potential.

[[Page 26992]]

                Serving the public is not just about a paycheck--it's 
                about contributing to the steady effort to perfect our 
                Union over time so our democracy works for everyone. 
                This week, let us embrace the hopeful spirit that 
                embodies the extraordinary work of our civil servants. 
                It is the same spirit that built America, and because 
                of the hard work of compassionate and determined public 
                servants, it will continue to build us up for 
                generations to come.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 1 through May 7, 
                2016, as Public Service Recognition Week. I call upon 
                all Americans to recognize the hard work and dedication 
                of our Nation's public servants and to observe this 
                week by expressing their gratitude and appreciation 
                through appropriate activities, events, and programs.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and fortieth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-10661
Filed 5-3-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P