WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and George V. Voinovich (R-OH), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, and Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, the Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, introduced a resolution today honoring the contributions of federal, state, and local government employees to America.
The resolution honors public servants during Public Service Recognition Week, set for May 5-11, 2008. This year marks the 24th year of Public Service Recognition Week, held the first full week of May every year, and is sponsored by the Public Employees Roundtable at the Council for Excellence in Government. Around the country, federal, state, and local governments take part in Public Service Recognition Week through events, exhibits, awards, and other activities that recognize public servants and elevate the public's understanding of the work that government employees perform. In Washington, D.C., numerous federal agencies including the military will open their doors and operations to the public at an exhibition on the National Mall between May 4 and May 7, 2008.
Senator Akaka said: "Last month, a solemn milestone was reached with the death of the 4,000th American war fighter in Iraq. But this tragic figure does not include the number of civilian federal employees who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. We honor them and the millions of other public employees returning home from war, caring for veterans, responding to emergencies, teaching our children, protecting our communities, building our roads, finding renewable sources of energy, discovering cures, and making America thrive. Government employees make a noble commitment to serve their country and deserve this honor.
Congressman Danny K. Davis said: "Public Service Recognition Week offers Americans the opportunity to recognize and learn about the significant contributions public sector employees make on a daily basis to our local communities, states, and country. Whether fighting crime, educating future generations, or serving on the front line to protect our nation, public servants touch every aspect of our lives. Public servants should be acknowledged and recognized for not only one week out of the year but throughout the entire year. By doing so, we show younger generations that public service is important and hopefully inspire them to consider a career in service to their federal, state, or local level government. The commemoration of Public Service Recognition Week serves as a reminder that public servants help to make our country a more perfect union and our government one that is truly of the people, for the people and by the people."
Senator Voinovich said: "I am grateful for this opportunity to honor our nation's public servants. I have often said that those who choose public service have a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow men and women. People are the most important asset our federal government has and I am committed to doing everything in my power to create an environment where they can participate and be challenged and empowered."
Senators Akaka and Voinovich were joined by Senators Lieberman, Collins, Levin, Stevens, Carper, Warner, Obama, and McCaskill as original cosponsors upon introduction of the resolution. For more information on Public Service Recognition Week, please visit the Public Employees Roundtable at the Council for Excellence in Government online at http://www.excelgov.org/index.php?keyword=a43bda2ade1cbd.
The full text of the resolution can be downloaded at: http://akaka.senate.gov/public/PSRW_Resolution_08.pdf
--30--
