[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
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-

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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.
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.
BARACK OBAMA