U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

OPM Director Kay James Sends 
Giant Message of Support to USS TR

“We Are Behind You”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James joined 20 high school students from The Arlington Career Center, located in nearby Arlington, Virginia, to unveil a sign that spans the length and width of the front windows of the Theodore Roosevelt building, the headquarters building of the OPM. The sign proclaims the continued support by OPM for the 5,500 members of the USS Theodore Roosevelt crew.

“When we decided we wanted to support our troops, right after September 11, 2001, we ‘adopted’ the crew of the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt and they have become our family. We are there when they ship out and when they return to port. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is currently deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It makes a great difference to them to know that we love and support both them and their families while they are so far away – and in harm’s way. They have told us that a hundred times and more,” said James

The message reads, “Thank you USS TR for your service. We are behind you.” The letters in the sign were designed and created by the students at The Arlington Career Center. During the ceremony the students presented the Director with the letters that make up the sign.

“The last time we used our windows and our building to send a huge message like this, it was to the astronauts on the moon in July, 1969. Well, this time we don’t have to go that far, but you can be sure the crew on the Roosevelt will be just as appreciative of your thinking of them,” James said to the students during the ceremony.

After the ceremony the students were invited on a private tour of the new e-Scholar web site, www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.htm, with Director James and White House Fellow Barry Williams who led the launch of the new site. “I hope you will join our federal family and decide on a career in the government service. We are going to give you a demonstration on these computers of how easy it is to access all of the jobs available in the government, as well as some links I know you will be happy to discover, links to scholarships, intern programs and grants available to assist the future government worker,” said James.

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.