Washington, D.C. - During a ceremony recognizing the Department of Transportation for "Getting to Green," U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James congratulated those who are helping to create a federal government that can handle whatever challenges it is given.

"DOT, like all federal agencies, has been directed by President Bush to make government work better," said James. "The President expects us to improve the management and performance of the U.S. Government by being more citizen-centered, results-oriented and market-based. The President's Management Agenda - or PMA - is the blueprint we work from. Our goal is to produce results by delivering a higher level of service to the American people who pay our salaries....and the DOT is meeting that goal."

Specifically, the DOT was recognized for producing results by "Getting to Green" in the Strategic Management of Human Capital and Competitive Sourcing.

"‘Getting to Green' on components of the PMA is a very impressive achievement," said James. "In doing so, you have demonstrated once again that by reaching for the highest bar, we can have a profound impact on the way government works. And this achievement we mark here will benefit the American people."

In closing, James thanked Secretary Mineta and his "fantastic team" for the continuous improvements in the Department's management of its workforce. "The work you do today for America will be important tomorrow because you have inherited the responsibility - and the honor - of being stewards of the world's greatest democracy. Getting to Green on the PMA is hard work. Moreover, Being Green - maintaining that Green success threshold - isn't easy. But the DOT never missed a beat in continuing to make progress on all of its human capital initiatives. The America of the future needs a transformation in the employment, development and evaluation of the federal work force - with results in mind. And DOT is doing this - and doing this well."

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM 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.