[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[January 23, 1992]
[Pages 137-138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks on the Presentation of the Senior Executive Service Awards

January 23, 1992
    Connie, thank you. And at the outset of these remarks, let me just 
pay my respects to Connie Newman and say what a first-class job I know 
she's doing at OPM. And I know that you take a lot of pride in this 
event, since you rose through the ranks yourself, starting, as I 
understand it, if my history is correct, 30 years ago as a GS-3--
[laughter]--I've still got you beat on the age now--[laughter]--GS-3 
clerk-typist at Interior. And look at you now. And we are very, very 
proud of you.
    I also want to welcome Ed Derwinski, Secretary Derwinski; Acting 
Secretary Busey; Secretary Stone; Pat Saiki, the Administrator at SBA; 
Director Sessions; and so many other distinguished guests. I think I see 
Admiral Truly out there.
    I hear that when one of the recipients was told that the speaker 
today would be the most important man in Washington, he said, ``I 
thought Joe Gibbs had already left for Minneapolis.'' [Laughter] We are 
caught up in a frenzy here. but that should not detract from the 
importance of this event.
    And it is a privilege for me to be over here today to congratulate 
some extraordinary people, you might say unsung heroes. You don't always 
get at the head table, don't always have your name flashing out there in 
lights. You may be lucky on that one. [Laughter] But really 
extraordinary people.
    Vince Lombardi, you remember, he gave some pretty good advice off 
the field as well as on. He put it this way; he said, ``The quality of a 
person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to 
excellence.''
    Well, today what we're doing is honoring the lives of great quality. 
I am told that only one percent of our SES can receive the Distinguished 
Executive Award. And that means that out of more than 3 million public 
servants, you few here today embody the very finest qualities of 
leadership, dedication, personal integrity, and public service.
    I reminisce that when I was growing up, my parents, particularly my 
dad, instilled in me a tremendous respect for the duty and obligation of 
public service. And I know that you share my belief that Government 
service is a public trust, that the highest honor we can have is to 
serve our country and in so doing serve our countrymen.
    Good government cannot work without you, committed men and women who 
devote yourselves to making certain that our Government truly serves the 
people. Look at the contributions that you've made

[[Page 138]]

in this past year alone. Some of you were instrumental in one way or 
another in Operation Desert Storm. You share in the triumph we won for 
freedom abroad and, of some noted significance, of unity at home.
    Some devoted your efforts to stirring economic growth here at home, 
creating opportunity for businesses and farmers and workers. Others 
dedicated your career to establishing ties abroad, bringing security and 
jobs to the people of this country in the process. You worked on child 
nutrition programs, directed the census, planned water resource 
projects, managed scientific research, oversaw economic analysis, helped 
reform the Federal pay system, managed aeronautical research, formulated 
human rights programs, managed veterans care, led drug investigations. 
The list goes on and on. In other words, through putting into practice 
administration programs, you touched the daily lives and shaped the 
future of all Americans.
    And so, I am proud to participate in this program. I wanted to 
extend my congratulations to all for living by the words of Abraham 
Lincoln, who said, ``I do the very best I know how, the very best I can; 
and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.'' Your country is 
grateful. And we thank you for your service.
    And now, Connie, let's get on with the main business at hand. Thank 
you, and congratulations to each and every one of you.

[At this point, the awards were presented.]

    Thank you all very much, and to all of you, congratulations. This is 
special, and it sends a wonderful message about the quality of our 
public service across the whole country. So keep it up.

                    Note: The President spoke at 10:35 a.m. in Room 450 
                        of the Old Executive Office Building. In his 
                        remarks, he referred to James B. Busey IV, 
                        Acting Secretary of Transportation; William S. 
                        Sessions, Director of the Federal Bureau of 
                        Investigation; and Richard B. Truly, 
                        Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
                        Space Administration.