By Stephen Barr
Friday, May 2, 2008; Page D04
The House and Senate have approved resolutions. Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl promise to attend. Military tanks and helicopters will be ready for inspection.
It's all for Public Service Recognition Week, the annual celebration of the contributions that federal, state and local government employees make to the nation.
Washington's celebration will be held Monday through Wednesday on the Mall. Opening ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m. Monday and will include a naturalization ceremony for 25 new citizens, including several military personnel.
"This is a great opportunity not only for people to celebrate public service but to come to the Mall and learn about what is going on in the federal government," said Patricia McGinnis, president and chief executive of the nonprofit Council for Excellence in Government, one of the event's sponsors.
The opening ceremonies will include remarks by Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on the federal workforce; Michael B. Donley, director of administration and management at the Defense Department; and McGinnis.
Davis was the chief sponsor of the House resolution honoring public service and saluting the week's activities. The Senate's resolution was sponsored by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), who chairs the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on government management.
About 75 exhibits sponsored by federal agencies will allow visitors to see what's new in biofuels, put their John Hancock on a Declaration of Independence, check out a crime-scene investigation lab and write messages of support to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The exhibits will be located on the Mall between the National Gallery of Art and the National Air and Space Museum. They will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Events include a performance by the Air Force's Max Impact rock band at 2 p.m. Monday; a Job Corps showcase and competition at 1 p.m. Tuesday; and FedPitch, in which contestants make a two-minute pitch on how to improve the government, at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
"It will be a great excursion on the Mall for kids and families from around the country," McGinnis said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/01/AR2008050103433.html?hpid=sec-business
