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The Partnership for Public Service got an unusual helping hand Wednesday night at a fund-raiser for the nonprofit organization.

John Waters, writer and director of the movie Hairspray, lent his name, franchise and a touch of his absurdity to a benefit on opening night of Hairspray's musical version at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

"The lead characters in my movies are people who are treated as outsiders and don't get the respect they deserve," Waters said. "Who fits that description better than federal employees? I'm glad the Partnership for Public Service is sticking up for these unsung heroes."


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The organization's mission includes inspiring young people to pursue a career in civil service. According to PPS President Max Stier, the millions of dollars being spent on lobbying for a new Supreme Court nominee should be spent on getting the best young talent to fill other government posts as well.

About 400 people attended the benefit, including Interior Department Secretary Gale Norton and former CNN anchor Judy Woodruff.

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  • But just think about the songs that could be written -- It's a Holiday -- How Early Do We Get to Leave Today? Congress Hates Us and Politicians Fear Us -- But We Work Anyway We Are Out of Paper -- No Work Today Here Comes the New Report, Same As the Old Report -- Only Different Who Is The New Hack Running My Agency? Why Oh Why Do I Have To Move to Maryland? "The Guidance For This Year Will Be the Same As the Guidance From Last Year, Except Where It Is Different..." Because we've always done it that way!

Office of Personnel Management Director Linda Springer will be presenting a keynote address at the Excellence in Government conference, co-sponsored by Government Executive, July 25-27 in Washington. For more information about the conference or to register online, click here.

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At 12 p.m. EST on Wed., July 20, National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley will respond to your questions and comments about pending personnel changes at the Defense and Homeland Security departments, as well as the Bush administration's governmentwide personnel reform proposal. Feel free to submit your questions and comments early or during the hour-long discussion.