News Release

OPM Director Kay James Addresses an Awards Ceremony Honoring Steven R. Cohen

Washington, D.C. – During a ceremony sponsored by the American Society for Public Administration honoring Steven R. Cohen, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James lauded his tireless work on behalf of the American people. Cohen was given the Elmer Staats Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Public Service, an award that recognizes outstanding accomplishments by a Federal employee.

“One term comes to my mind whenever I think of our next honoree, Steven R. Cohen – ‘civil servant,’” remarked James, “and Steve is a civil servant in the highest sense of the term – a civil servant in the tradition of George Washington, who heard his country’s call and could not do otherwise but to serve.” James said, “As the former head of OPM’s Office of Merit Systems Protection and Oversight (OMSOE), Steve was instrumental in our efforts to protect whistleblowers, veterans’ preference, and collective bargaining rights for Federal employees.”

During a career that has spanned five decades, Cohen has devoted his life to promoting and improving the American civil service. By applying his natural talents, remarkable skills, and unwavering dedication to whatever position he was assigned, Cohen worked his way up through the ranks, including Acting Director of OPM during the presidential transition. Upon Director James’ arrival at OPM, she appointed him as her Senior Policy Advisor. James said, “I turned to Steve for advice and counsel on September 11 and in the difficult weeks and months that followed. He was the voice of the civil service. His love and concern for his country and for the health and safety of his fellow teammates became our compass as we traveled the uncharted territory of terror alerts, of Anthrax threats, and of irradiated mail.”

Currently, Cohen has the very important role as the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s representative on Homeland Security to the White House, Department of Homeland Security, and Congress. His essential role on behalf of OPM is to work with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to coordinate advice and expertise on a full scope of personnel matters relating to the new department.

“Inspired by President Kennedy, Steve spent his career serving the merit-based civil service created in the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt,” remarked James. In closing, James reaffirmed the respect and admiration she has for Cohen. “It is my honor and my privilege to work with Steve, a man who has accepted the historic challenge of creating a new agency; a true patriot for whom civil service is more than a job, it is a calling and a way of life. I can think of no one more deserving of the honor you are bestowing tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, my advisor, my friend, the epitome of excellence in civil service and patriotism.”

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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