On Wednesday, Sept. 19, Partnership President and CEO, Max Stier, testified at Senator Akaka’s final federal workforce hearing before his retirement entitled “Investing in an Effective Federal Workforce”. In addition to thanking Senator Akaka for his commitment to federal employees and leadership in the Senate, Stier shared progress to date on key reform efforts including hiring reform, the new Pathways Programs, SES reform and telework. In his statement, Stier also called for civil service reform, saying we currently have a “once in a generation opportunity to rethink the way government operates.”
On Thursday, Sept. 13, the Partnership for Public Service presented nine outstanding public servants with the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (Sammies). Having earned the reputation as the “Oscars” of public service, the achievements of the 2012 medal recipients range from reducing veterans homelessness to medical and scientific advances for our nation’s combat amputees to saving billions of taxpayer dollars through smart procurement practices. The top medal, Federal Employee of the Year, was presented to Lynne Mofenson of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her pivotal role in preventing the AIDS epidemic among children by studying ways to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
“The Service to America Medals are a powerful illustration of the good that government does, which positively affects our lives every day,” said Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service president and CEO. “We will never get what we want out of our government if we focus solely on its shortcomings and fail to celebrate its successes.”
The Partnership for Public Service was launched in 2001 to improve our government’s effectiveness by revitalizing our federal workforce. While we remain steadfastly committed to our core principle, we have learned a great deal over the past 10 years about improving government. The 2011 annual report celebrates the achievements of our first decade and shares our updated vision for the future. We are exceptionally proud of the progress we have made, and we are emboldened to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
The constitutional transfer of presidential power has been one of the hallmarks of American democracy—a peaceful ritual that provides continuity for our government as well as an opportunity for change and renewal. With the Presidential election only three months away, both candidates need to prepare for a potential transfer of power. Failing to do so can leave the country vulnerable to issues ranging from national security to the stability of financial markets.
This requires a strong commitment and leadership from both candidates, and it cannot wait until the two-and-a-half month period between election day the inauguration. Ready to Govern: Improving the Presidential Transition examines the three phases of the 2008–2009 transition and offers a set of recommendations to ensure that presidential transitions do not depend on personalities and good will.
The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.
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