Mr. President, last week, 70 members of the federal government's Senior Executive Service (SES) and Senior Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) employees received the nation's highest civil service award for their leadership accomplishments and long-term contributions to their country.

I believe it is fitting to honor these men and women during Public Service Recognition Week, which began yesterday, May 3, 2004. As noted by the Office of Personnel Management, "Winners of this prestigious award are strong leaders, professionals, and scientists who achieve results and consistently demonstrate strength, integrity, industry, and a relentless commitment to excellence in public service." To me, these awards serve as a reminder that the federal civil service is made up of individuals who have chosen to work for the federal government and their betterment of their fellow citizens.

This year marks the first time that Senior Level and Scientific and Professional executives joined those in the Senior Executive Service in receiving awards. The winners, who were honored at dinner sponsored by the Senior Executives Association (SEA) Professional Development League last week, have saved the federal government over $187 billion according to SEA President Carol A. Bonosaro. At last week's dinner, Ms. Bonosaro detailed notable achievements of the award recipients: including leading a deployment to Kosovo to gather evidence of war crimes in support of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; managing 15 nutrition assistance programs – with $40 billion in appropriations – which reach 50 million Americans annually; serving as a Space Shuttle astronaut pilot and commander; directing the prosecution of international cartels with fines totaling more than $2 billion and the convictions of corporate executives from the U.S. and twelve foreign countries; and serving as the scientific leader of a $2 billion telescope mission, to be launched in 2010, with the objective of seeing the first light in the universe released after the Big Bang.

There are two categories of rank awards: Distinguished and Meritorious Awards. For both awards, winners are chosen through a rigorous selection process which includes nomination by their agency heads, evaluation by boards of private citizens, and approval by the President. Distinguished Rank Award recipients receive a lump-sum payment of 35 percent of their base pay. Meritorious Rank Award recipients receive 20 percent of base pay.

At a time when many young people are questioning the value of public service, I urge them to explore the exciting and challenging employment opportunities with the federal government, as well as the benefits of serving their nation. As the Presidential Rank Awards demonstrates, the government values those who seek public service.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the names and agencies of the 2003 Presidential Rank Award winners be included in the Congressional Record immediately following my remarks.